The Michigan State Police (MSP) Office of School Safety (OSS) has introduced new resources to help K-12 schools across the state update their Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs). An EOP outlines specific actions for students, teachers, and staff to follow before, during, and after emergencies.
Under Michigan law, all K-12 school buildings must have an EOP that is reviewed every two years. These new resources are designed to reflect the many changes in school safety over the past decade, with the goal of providing schools with the most current and effective guidance.
Col. James F. Grady II, MSP director, emphasized that the updated tools were developed with input from professionals across several fields, including emergency management, law enforcement, education, and mental health, and that they incorporate best practices for various emergency situations.
The updated resources were developed in collaboration with federal agencies such as FEMA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center. The MSP also partnered with the “I Love U Guys” Foundation, adopting their standard response and reunification protocols.
These tools, now available on the OSS webpage, aim to ensure schools are prepared for potential emergencies while fostering safer learning environments for students.
The OSS was created under Public Act 435 of 2018 and works alongside the Michigan Department of Education. Its responsibilities include supporting the development of school safety practices, securing federal funds, and providing assistance to the School Safety Commission.
The project was funded by a Bureau of Justice Assistance STOP School Violence Grant, awarded to MSP in 2019.
