By Tammy Ashworth (February 21, 2003)

In a reflection of the unstable times we are living in, Falls Church City Schools Superintendent Mary Ellen Shaw has added a new emergency policy to address potential chemical and biological attacks. "In response to the recent heightening of concern about threats to our national and regional security, we have added some specific directions to our Emergency Management Plan to deal with the situation of the release of a chemical or biological agent," wrote Shaw in a letter sent home to parents Friday afternoon.

The Crisis and Emergency Management Plan, developed and implemented following the September 11^th terrorist attacks in the 2001-02 school year, is a guide for Falls Church City Public Schools personnel to use when responding to a variety of emergencies and crises.

In the event of the release of a chemical or biological agent, local emergency management officials would order affected schools to initiate "Shelter in Place" procedures. This would include turning off the ventilation systems within schools, closing and securing all doors and windows, and instructing all students and faculty to stay or come indoors. In addition, students and staff would be assigned to areas within the school building that are best guarded against outside air, and prevented from entering or exiting the school until local emergency workers have secured the situation.

Other possible emergency responses covered in the Emergency Management Plan include building evacuation and delayed release, and their use varies based upon information from local, state, and federal officials. In the former, students would be sent to and held at undisclosed evacuation sites within the City until parents can pick up students. The school system is still working to identify evacuation areas outside of Falls Church City. The delayed release plan addresses the possibility of a regional crisis such as that which occurred on September 11, 2001, wherein City schools would care for children until parents could reach home or daycare for pick-up.

All schools will also keep up supplies of bottled water and non-perishable snacks for short-term crises. For long-term situations, school kitchens will provide necessary food and water for students and staff. Parents are encouraged to assist in this safety endeavor in a variety of ways, including providing a correct list of emergency contact numbers, sending their children to school with water and food in case of emergency, and ensuring that students with serious medical conditions have up to a three day supply of any necessary medications at the school clinic.

The Bush administration has faced both criticism and applause in the past several days for its decision to raise the color-coded terror alert to its current high-risk, or orange, status. This followed reports from several sources that terrorist attacks on American soil coinciding with the hajj, or Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, were planned. Currently, officials are reevaluating the veracity of these threats, and are examining whether the currently declared threat level is appropriate.

This and the new school system policies recently enacted have reassured many within the Falls Church and Mason community these past few days. "It’s good to know that the school is updating and improving its plans to deal with new, different situations," said senior Michael Miller.