Q         What is the most important point that the parents should remember in an emergency situation?

A         School is the second safest place for your child. The first, and the place that we know your children want to be is home. We ask parents to reinforce how important it is for students (including those who have cars) to follow the directives of staff. The greatest threat to everyone’s safety after a disaster is the panic and irrational behavior of unprepared people. Parents should talk to their children, make a plan, and listen to emergency officials.

Q         What are the types of emergencies for which the high school develops plans?

A         The three broad categories of emergencies that the high school prepares for are fire, lockdown and major disaster. Fire emergencies include fires on or near the campus and explosions. Lockdown preparedness includes responding to a situation where a dangerous intruder is on campus or in the school vicinity; a major chemical spill on campus or in the area; and a bomb threat. A major disaster covers emergencies such as earthquakes, plane crashes, and severe weather.

Q         In the event of a fire on campus, how does the school respond?

A         The fire alarms will sound. Students and staff will then evacuate the buildings and follow our fire drill plan. Specifically, students will move with their teachers to the designated areas clearly illustrated on each classroom evacuation map. Teachers will then take roll and either wait for the fire department to arrive and give further direction, or allow students to return to class when the “all clear” signal is sounded. If the students and staff are unable to return to class, parents will be notified by the district’s automated All Call phone system and, if feasible, students will be sent home. Specific information will continue to be communicated through the district’s All Call phone system and through the district and/or high school website.

Q         What are the primary emergency broadcasting stations in Ventura?

A         KVEN (1450 AM)  KHAY (100.7 FM) and Jack FM (93.1)

Q         What happens in the event of a lockdown at the school?

A         Lockdowns occur when we want students, staff, and campus guests to remain sheltered in a safe place. This may occur in a situation involving a weapon, gunfire, severe storm, or hazardous materials. When we need to lock down our campus, a continuous bell will be sounded to signal staff and students to stay inside, or if outside, to move into the nearest available room. The initial purpose of a lockdown is to isolate an intruder and remove any potential target from view. In the case of a hazardous materials spill, teachers will seal windows and doors. The “all clear” will come in the form of a school employee going to each room and announcing that the condition has been identified and resolved.

Q         Have provisions been made in the case that students are in lockdown for an extended period of time?

A: The district has purchased emergency kits that contain provisions for each classroom to meet the basic needs of our students for a limited amount of times. On a classroom by classroom basis: There is only one 8 ounce serving of water and roughly one 500 calorie bar per person for 30 people per black box.  In a 100% lockdown situation this is only enough for a few hours max- nothing even close to 72 hours.  On a campus-wide basis, this IS true for the 72 hours. But will require people moving between buildings and in and out of the supply bins; ie. not a "lockdown" situation.  The kit includes such things as water, food, a sanitation system with privacy screen, 12 hour light sticks, extensive first aide supplies and an evacuation map.

Q         What would happen if there was a natural disaster or catastrophic event and the students were unable to leave campus, or, for safety reasons, were required to remain on campus for an extended period of time?

A         Students would be moved to a safe location, where teachers would take roll and emergency disaster teams, such as our search and rescue team, would organize. The high school has provisions to accommodate students and staff on campus for several days. These supplies are checked on a regular basis and are kept in large secured bins on the campus. A reunion gate will be set-up, and when it becomes feasible, students will be released to parents or guardians at this gate. As soon as possible, the nature of the emergency and the plans to handle it will be communicated to parents and our community through the emergency broadcasting stations in Ventura, the district’s All Call phone system or the school/district website.

Q:        Are any OPHS teachers or staff trained in emergency management and procedures?

A:        Our staff has been trained on emergency procedures and is well prepared to respond to a life-threatening situation. Many members of our staff, including all physical education teachers, coaches, campus supervisors, administrators, and support staff CPR certification. The school’s safety committee continues to meet to review and refine our school safety plan. As a staff, we will continue to review and practice safety procedures and preparedness.

Q         Do OPHS students participate in fire or emergency drills so that they become familiar with the school’s safety plan and procedures?

A         Throughout the course of the year, our students and staff participate in three emergency drills: fire, earthquake, and lockdown. Following the drill, our Administration conducts a full review of the drill and follows up with feedback to our staff as to how the practice can be improved. Each classroom has a map that outlines basic emergency responses and clearly highlights the evacuation route for that class. Parents are asked to encourage their children to look at the evacuation map that is posted in each class.

A         Students are escorted to the football field where the role is taken.  If the campus is not safe to return to, then we will begin to dismiss students to their guardians or to their contacts on the emergency cards.  If the football field is not a safe place to muster the students, then the administration will decide on a different location (baseball field or tennis courts).

American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org click on “Get Prepared”  

California Office of Emergency Services http://www.oes.ca.gov click on 

Utility websites: The Gas Company: http://www.socalgas.com

So. Cal Edison: http://www.sce.com

Oak Park Water Service: http://www.triunfosanitationdistrict.com  

OPWS Ventura County Public Information Hotline 805-654-3593