All schools in the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) schools have Emergency Management Plans, which are reviewed, updated and practiced every year.

These plans outline three responses to an emergency situation: Shelter in Place, Evacuation, and Relocation.

• Shelter in Place involves either a Hold and Secure (where no one enters or exits the building, but those inside may be able to move around) or a Lockdown (where no one enters or exits the building and all students and staff are concealed in a secure location, away from doors and windows). 
   
• Evacuation involves all students and staff exiting the building but remaining on the property.
   
• Relocation involves all students and staff moving from the school property to another nearby site.

In recent years, our region has experienced several weather-related events that impacted schools and neighbourhoods. We learned many lessons and we’ve been working to enhance our system’s response to emergency situations as a result. 

HRCE has identified several locations that can be used should an emergency relocation from a community, by school bus, be required. These alternate community sites are in addition to our 137 schools. 

This plan has been reviewed by the Emergency Management Office (EMO). 

If there’s an emergency that requires relocation from a community: 

• HRCE will determine, in consultation with EMO, which site is best depending on the nature, size and scope of the emergency. Other HRCE schools will be considered first.
     
• HRCE will communicate with the school’s administration and families directly, providing information about the situation, the relocation plan, and the location for student pick up.
    
• HRCE will arrange for school buses to transport all students and staff to the confirmed relocation site, using the fleet of more than 400 school buses that transport students to and from school each day. 

The safety of students and staff is our highest priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s school principal.