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It is not often that the little guy ends up the big winner. In October 2003, Ronald C. Bauer High Schools’ (RCB) Phoenix and Mesa Campuses both were the recipients of the Emergency Response and Crisis Management Program Grants.
Remarkably, only five awards were made for this grant program in the state of Arizona – and RCB’s two campuses both received grants. The schools will use the funding to create a model for dealing with bio-terrorism and other crisis situations in school. These models will then be disseminated throughout the state and nation so other schools will know how to prepare for emergency situations effectively.
Both RCB campuses have challenges that make them well qualified to develop the model program. Both are located within 75 miles of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the largest nuclear power plant in the United States and that has been the target of several terrorist threats since 9/11; both are located in high-crime and high-gang activity neighborhoods; both are located near busy intersections; and both are located within strip malls.
The Phoenix and Mesa Fire and Police Departments, the Cities of Phoenix and Mesa, two area hospitals, a certified professional counselor and other individuals and agencies will provide fire drill instruction and practice, CPR and First Aid training, instruction in how to handle a hostage and other crisis situations at the school (flooding, chemical spills, etc.), and a host of other training and opportunities to prepare administrators, teachers, and students to be well-prepared to handle any emergency.
RCB High School competed against much larger schools and school districts throughout Arizona and the U.S. for this grant. A whole team of individuals worked together to create the vision for the project and prepare the grant for submittal. The school principal, Mr. Gravity Griffith; enrollment coordinator, Mrs. Alma Mattingly; the vice president of the International Institute of the Americas (RCB’s parent organization), Dr. Lynda Angel; the chief financial officer, Marion Jewell; and grant writer, Kelly Hurt worked to outline the project and enlist partners from the police and fire departments, counseling agencies, and hospitals who would help the school conduct the program.
Now that the grant has been awarded, the schools are working hard to carry out the planned goals and activities. Its mission is to create change in mindset, behavior and the staff members’, teachers’ and students’ ability to train and prepare for any crisis situation the schools encounter. No one wants a crisis to occur – but if it does, the schools will have the knowledge and tools it needs to deal with it.
One of the first training events will be held in Phoenix on April 16 and 17 and in Mesa on April 23 and 24. The Phoenix Fire Department will conduct First Aid and CPR training for staff, students, and anyone else in the neighborhoods who wishes to become certified. Dozens of people have already signed up for the classes and the schools anticipate a tremendous turnout. In addition, several local businesses are donating lunch for all the participants.
Congratulations to Ronald C. Bauer High Schools for receiving this important grant and for its commitment to ensuring the safety and well being of its students and community!
Contact Information |
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Phoenix Campus |
Mesa Campus 323 N. Gilbert Rd, Suite 108 Mesa, Arizona 85203 Phone (480)833-0024 Fax(480)833-1369 |
Submitted by Dahlia Lockhart, Grant Manager
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