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Emergency Communication

Emergency Communication & Standard Response Protocol (SRP)

Maintaining the safety and well-being of students and staff is our highest priority. Del Norte Unified School District and the Del Norte County Office of Education use a coordinated approach to emergency response and communication to ensure families receive clear, timely, and accurate information when it matters most.

Our schools use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to respond to incidents and a districtwide communication system to keep families informed.

 

How Schools Respond: Standard Response Protocol (SRP)

The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is a nationally recognized, plain-language framework used by schools and public safety agencies across the country. SRP provides a common set of actions and directives so staff, students, families, and first responders understand what is happening and how to respond.

The five SRP actions used across all district schools are:

  • Hold — In your classroom or area
    Used to keep hallways and common areas clear during short-term situations.
  • Secure — Get inside. Lock outside doors.
    Used when a potential concern exists outside the building.
  • Lockdown — Locks, lights, out of sight.
    Used when there is a serious threat inside or very near the building.
  • Evacuate — To a location.
    Used when it is safer to leave the building due to conditions such as fire, gas leak, or structural concerns.
  • Shelter — State hazard and safety strategy.
    Used for environmental or hazardous conditions such as earthquake, tsunami, severe weather, or hazardous materials.

SRP allows schools to quickly communicate what action is being taken and why, using consistent language across all sites.

👉 Learn more about SRP:
http://www.dncoe.org/departments/communication-outreach/srp

 

How Families Are Informed During an Emergency

During any SRP action, families will receive official updates through official communication channels as information is verified and appropriate to share.

Primary communication channels include:

  • Phone Calls – Automated calls with instructions when needed
  • Text Messages (SMS) – Brief alerts and updates
  • District & School Websites – The primary source for detailed, up-to-date information
  • Email – Follow-up information and summaries
  • Social Media – Secondary communication; information mirrors what is posted on the district website
  • Local Radio – Public service announcements when appropriate

Please note: Not all situations require immediate family action. In some cases, families may be notified after an issue has been resolved if there is no ongoing impact to the school day.

 

What Families Can Expect

During an emergency or incident, families can expect:

  • Official updates from the school or district
  • Clear information about the SRP action being used and what it means
  • Instructions if family action is required (including reunification details, if applicable)
  • Limited details during active situations to protect student and staff safety and support law enforcement response

Providing accurate information sometimes means waiting until details are confirmed. This helps prevent confusion and ensures families receive reliable updates.

 

What Families Can Do to Help

Families play an important role in supporting safe and effective emergency response:

  • Do not come to campus unless directed. Arriving during an active response can slow emergency operations and create additional safety concerns.
  • Rely on official school and district communication for accurate information.
  • Keep emergency contact information up to date with your child’s school, including phone numbers and email addresses.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why might information be limited during an incident?
Emergency situations are fluid. Sharing only verified, relevant information helps protect student safety and supports first responders.

Why am I sometimes notified after an event?
Some SRP actions are brief or precautionary and do not impact the school day. In these cases, families may be notified once the situation is resolved.

Why shouldn’t I come to campus right away?
Additional traffic and people on campus can interfere with emergency response. Families will be directed when and where to go if reunification is needed.

How do I know which information to trust?
Always rely on official communication from the school or district. Information shared on social media or through unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.

 

Stay Connected

To ensure you receive emergency communications:

  • Verify your phone number and email address with your school office
  • Bookmark the district website for real-time updates

If you have questions about emergency communication, please contact communications@dnusd.org.