Emergency preparedness refers to the proactive planning and actions taken to ensure the safety of students and staff during unexpected events such as natural disasters, security threats, or health emergencies. This includes: 

• Conducting regular safety drills (e.g., fire, lockdown, earthquake) 

• Developing and maintaining Safe School Plans 

• Keeping student and parent contact information up to date 

• Establishing clear and reliable communication methods 

• Creating and updating evacuation and reunification procedures 

By preparing in advance, schools can respond quickly and effectively to protect everyone on campus. 

Fresno Unified School District has comprehensive emergency preparedness plans in place, developed in collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency services, including the Fresno Police and Fire Departments. These plans are designed to ensure the safety of all students and staff during a crisis. 

Each school’s plan includes: 

• A designated Safe School Leadership Team responsible for managing emergency procedures. 

• Clearly defined protocols for evacuation, shelter-in-place, lockdown, and parent reunification. 

• An Emergency Protocol Flip Chart available to staff, outlining steps for specific types of incidents and resources for support before, during, and after an event. 

All school emergency plans are reviewed annually, and Safe School Leadership Teams participate in ongoing training to stay current with best practices and safety standards. 

You can request a copy of the Safe School Plan at your child’s school. Each member of the school’s Safe School Leadership Team has a copy of the Safe School Plan including the principal's office. All staff members have copies of the Emergency Protocols flip chart as well.​ 

A lockdown is a safety procedure used when there is a concern about an immediate threat or danger on or near the school campus. During a lockdown: 

• All doors are locked, and students and staff remain inside classrooms or secure areas. 

• Movement around campus is restricted, and no one is allowed to enter or leave the building. 

• Instruction may pause while staff focus on safety protocols. 

• The school works closely with law enforcement to assess and manage the situation. 

Lockdowns are used to protect students and staff from potential harm and are lifted only when authorities determine it is safe to do so. 

Shelter-in-place is a safety procedure where students and staff remain indoors and continue with normal classroom activities. It is different from a lockdown, as there is no immediate threat inside or near the school building. 

A school may be asked to shelter in place for reasons such as: 

• A fallen power pole or tree that makes it unsafe to move around outside 

• A medical emergency or altercation that could be distressing for students to witness 

• A maintenance issue, such as the smell of gas or a plumbing problem 

During shelter-in-place: 

• Students stay in their classrooms or offices 

• Instruction continues as usual 

• Movement outside may be temporarily restricted, including during passing periods 

This procedure helps keep students safe while minimizing disruption to their learning. 

In most emergency situations, students, staff, and parents will not be allowed to enter or leave the school campus until the situation is resolved and it is safe to do so. Law enforcement must give the green light. This is to ensure everyone's safety and allow emergency responders to manage the crisis without additional risk or disruption. 

In certain cases, the district may initiate a parent reunification process, where students are safely released to their families at a designated location. If this happens: 

• Parents will be notified through a ParentSquare message from the school or district.  

• The reunification will be coordinated with law enforcement and emergency personnel to ensure it is done safely and efficiently. 

• Parents will need to bring valid identification and may only pick up children if they are listed on the student’s emergency contact card. 

Until reunification occurs, it’s important for families to stay informed through messaging that comes from the school or district and avoid coming to the school, as this could interfere with emergency operations. 

Fresno Unified uses ParentSquare as its primary communication tool to keep families informed during emergencies. Through ParentSquare, the district and your child’s school can send:  

• Text messages 

• Email alerts 

• App notifications (if you have the ParentSquare app installed) 

To ensure you receive timely updates, please make sure that your contact information is up to date in ATLAS through your ATLAS Parent Portal.  

Please note that communication during an emergency may be delayed. ** See next Q&A. 

We understand how important it is for families to receive timely updates during a crisis. While Fresno Unified is committed to keeping parents informed, there are times when communication may be delayed. This can happen for several reasons: 

• Safety comes first: Our top priority is securing the campus and ensuring students and staff are safe. Communication may follow once immediate actions are taken. 

• Rapidly changing situations: Emergencies can evolve quickly. We work to confirm accurate information before sharing updates to avoid confusion or misinformation. 

• Coordination with emergency responders: We often collaborate with law enforcement, fire departments, and medical personnel. Messaging may be delayed until all parties agree on what can be safely shared. 

• Technical challenges: High call volumes or internet outages may temporarily affect our ability to send messages. 

We encourage families to keep their contact information up to date, download the ParentSquare app, and monitor official district channels for the most reliable updates. 

Parent reunification is the process of ensuring that children return to the care of their parent(s) and family as quickly as possible after an emergency. Parents will be informed of the reunification location through a ParentSquare message from the school or district. At the reunification center, students will be released to their parents upon presentation of proper identification. 

During an emergency, circumstances could arise that might force changes to previously designated locations. Therefore, Fresno Unified will not be able to release this type of specific information. 

School bus drivers will be in contact with the Fresno Unified Office of Transportation for instructions in the event that a crisis occurs while students are in transport. Bus drivers will be informed and will not travel toward the crisis location. Parents will be informed of the reunification location through a ParentSquare message from the school or district.  

Make sure you check your Zum app, our new bus tracking app for parents. The Zum app is available this year for general education buses only. Special education buses are not yet included. Beginning next school year, when Zum starts providing special education transportation services, the app will be available for those routes as well. This app connects to Atlas, so please make sure your emergency contact information is up to date. Parents of general education students can download the Zum parent app, which allows parents to: 

• Track your child’s rides in real time
• Get alerts when the bus is arriving
• Cancel same-day rides
• View upcoming rides
• Receive notifications when your child gets on and off the bus

For your child’s safety, they will only be released to individuals who: 

• Are listed on the student’s emergency contact card 

• Have written authorization from a parent or legal guardian 

Here’s what parents should know: 

• Emergency contact cards are completed at the start of each school year and should be updated as needed. 

• If someone is not listed on the card (such as a friend or neighbor) who needs to pick up your child, both parents must provide written permission in advance. 

• Schools prefer to receive this written permission on the day of the change and will keep it on file attached to the emergency card. 

• The person picking up your child must show valid identification. 

• It’s also helpful to notify your child’s teacher and provide a copy of the signed note. 

These procedures help ensure that every child is safely and securely released to the correct individual. 

We understand that your first instinct during an emergency may be to call the school or try to reach your child. However, we kindly ask parents not to call the school during a crisis. Here's why: 

• Phone lines must remain open for communication with emergency responders and internal coordination. 

• Staff are focused on ensuring the safety of all students and managing the situation. 

• Incoming calls can unintentionally delay response efforts or overwhelm communication systems. 

Once all information is confirmed, and law enforcement has given the green light to communicate, you will receive communication from your school principal or the district with the latest confirmed updates.  

Fresno Unified is committed to supporting students' emotional well-being after a crisis. We have a team of highly trained mental health professionals, including school counselors, psychologists, and social workers, who are available to help students who were directly or indirectly affected. 

Yes. Fresno Unified School District prioritizes the safety and well-being of every student and staff member. Our schools are equipped with comprehensive safety protocols and trained personnel to respond effectively to emergencies. Here’s how we ensure your child is safe: 

Trained Staff: All staff members receive regular training, including monthly training videos on emergency procedures and how to respond to various types of crises.  

Secure Campuses: Schools maintain secure entry points and monitor campus activity to prevent unauthorized access. 

Rapid Response Coordination: In the event of an emergency, schools work closely with local law enforcement, fire departments, and medical services to ensure a swift and coordinated response. 

Student Accountability: Attendance and location tracking systems help staff account for every student during drills and real emergencies. 

Emotional Support: After a crisis, counselors and support staff are available to help students process their experiences and feel safe returning to school. 

We understand that emergencies can be stressful for families. Please know that our top priority is keeping your child safe, informed, and supported at all times.