Ann Arbor Public Schools Conducts Training for Administrators and Staff to Prepare for Emergencies

District also develops new emergency plans for schools

Ann Arbor, MI (Vocus) June 2, 2009 -- Ann Arbor Public School's (http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/aaps.home/aaps_home) administrators and staff have completed emergency plans and training to protect students in case of an emergency.

Prepared Response, Inc. (http://www.preparedresponse.com/) assisted the district with creating a new district emergency management and communications plan, site-specific school emergency response plans and emergency preparedness training for district administrators and staff. Prepared Response also completed security and vulnerability assessments at 35 AAPS locations to determine district and site-specific vulnerabilities and risks. AAPS staff also received training on completing future assessments, thus enhancing the district's risk assessment program sustainability. The consulting and training was conducted over a 12 month period and was funded by a grant from the federal government.

"The safety of students and staff at Ann Arbor Public Schools is our number one concern," said Superintendent Dr. Todd Roberts. "By re-evaluating and updating the district and individual school crisis plans and conducting extensive training throughout the district, our administrators and staff are now even more prepared for an emergency at our district's schools."

"Prepared Response has worked closely with Ann Arbor Public Schools over the past year and it is clear the district is committed to creating a safe learning environment for students," said Jim Finnell, President and CEO of Prepared Response. "By providing the staff and administrators with the tools they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies, the district will be better prepared for any crisis in its schools."

Prepared Response has provided on-site emergency preparedness consulting and training for over 3,000 school campuses across the country. In addition, the company's Rapid Responder® (http://preparedresponse.com/solutions/education.html) crisis management system provides first responders with instant access to critical school information and has been successfully used for emergencies ranging from bomb threats to a school shooting incident. Rapid Responder is the only campus crisis management system certified by the U.S. federal government as "Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology" and is endorsed by the National Sheriffs' Association. Rapid Responder is being used in 15 states with over 380 school districts and more than 600 public safety agencies.

About Ann Arbor Public Schools

The Ann Arbor Public School District serves the City of Ann Arbor and parts of eight surrounding townships covering 125 square miles. The district has 20 elementary schools, one K-8 open school, five middle schools, three comprehensive high schools, three alternative high schools, one pre-school and one adult education program. As of September 2008, enrollment totaled 16,458 (excluding adult education and a portion of pre-school). The district employs 3,000 full and part-time staff members. Approximately 82 percent of the teaching staff holds a master's degree or above. The district serves a diverse ethnic and socioeconomic population of students with over 36 different countries represented by students in the district and 74 different languages spoken.

About Prepared Response, Inc.

Prepared Response Inc. is a national leader in emergency preparedness and crisis management. The company develops mission critical technology, as well as consulting and training that enable police, fire, and other emergency responders to save lives and mitigate property damage. The company's flagship product, Rapid Responder®, runs on laptop computers and allows first responders to instantly access more than 300 site-specific data points, including tactical plans, site and floor plans, aerial and geospatial imagery, interior and exterior photos, staging areas, hazardous materials locations, utility shut-offs, and evacuation routes for virtually any facility. Rapid Responder has received Certification status by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under The SAFETY Act of 2002 and is endorsed by the National Sheriffs' Association. The Rapid Responder system protects nearly 15,000 facilities and is currently deployed in educational facilities, public buildings, critical infrastructure, and private facilities across the U.S.

The privately held company, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, was formed in September 2000. Additional information can be found at www.preparedresponse.com or by calling 1-800-705-1856.

Ann Arbor Public Schools

Liz Margolis

Director of Communications

734-994-2236

Prepared Response, Inc.

Gary Sabol

Public Relations Manager

206-223-5544

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