District Receives Federal Readiness Grant
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools recently awarded a Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) grant to the Portland public schools. One of five awarded in New England, the $266,000 grant will provide the funding to improve and strengthen existing emergency management plans.
The grant focuses on improving and strengthening emergency management plans, namely in the areas of prevention and mitigation, preparedness, and response and recovery. These goals will be met through staff and student training around emergency management planning, an enhanced system of emergency reunification procedures for parents and guardians, and increased collaboration between the school district and local law enforcement, government and health agencies.
Scott Wyman, Benefits and Safety Manager, who co-authored the grant with Michael Clifford, Safe and Drug Free School Coordinator, explains, “Taking action now will help save lives, prevent injury and minimize property damage in the event of a crisis.”
The grant project establishes a collaboration among the Portland public schools, the Portland Fire, Police and Public Health Departments, and Community Counseling with an ultimate vision of building and sustaining a strong, mission-driven relationship across the partnering systems.
