The following are steps the District may take in the event of a critical incident involving a chemical or hazardous spill. We encourage you to review and become familiar with the information available on this webpage.

• Call 911 - Give a description of the type of chemical, size or possible exposures
• Evacuate the area and/or building
• Wait for all clear indication from emergency personnel
• Call Risk Management at (909) 820-7700 ext. 2110 

Biological or Chemical Release

Chemicals, Hazardous Spill and Biological Agents can cause potential serious effects on the environment and person’s health. Some are liquid forms and others may be a solid form. Some may be odorless, colorless and hard to see. Incidents sometimes may be accidental and others may be intentional. When dealing with potential incidents it is imperative for to Staff take proper steps to ensure students and visitor’s safety.
 
Staff should conduct or provide assistance with the following:

• Attempt to remain, upwind, uphill or upstream. Direct persons away from the affected area
• Call 911 and/or Safety Control. Notify Administrator or designee
• Provide location and other pertinent information
• Look for placards or other identifiers
• Evacuate the area and/or building
• Keep unauthorized persons away
• Provide assistance to disabled, sick or injured persons
• Decontaminate with soap and water
• Certain surfaces can be decontaminated with 0.5% bleach solution. (When diluted 1:10. Household bleach contains 0.5%.)
• Obtain immediate medical attention for all exposed or potentially exposed personnel
• Be aware of secondary hazards or agents

 
If the information can be obtained safely:

• Identify the type of hazard or source of the release
• Determine if the HVAC system has been affected
• What are the agent’s characteristics (color, visible or not, odor if any)
• Attempt to determine if the release is interior or exterior
• If outside, how fast is the plume or agent moving and which direction. 
• Agent Characteristics
  Coarse powders and liquids will not spread beyond the initial release area without applying a lot of energy
• Powders with a particle size less than 5.0 microns (the most dangerous particle size) will remain suspended in the air, creating particles spread throughout a large area
• The concentration of the agent in the powder or liquid will remain unknown until completion of further testing
   

HVAC Characteristics

• HVAC systems may need a long time to shut down. HVAC systems can distribute a product throughout a building in less than 15 minutes. Once a system distributes an agent, the system begins to dilute the concentrate of the affected area
• HVAC systems have zones within the building they serve. This may allow responders to shut off portions of a system
• HVAC systems with HEPA filtration may help to capture the product. These systems are rare.

 
Material Safety Data Sheets or Globally Harmonized System

A record of chemicals used in all district sites is stored at each site, Warehouse, Maintenance and Operations or Risk Management offices according to chemicals used at each location. The sheets can assist with the classification of health, physical and environmental hazards.
 

For more information regarding an RUSD School Site Comprehensive School Safety Plan, please visit the school's main office.

California Education Code (EC) Section 32281(a) requires every kindergarten through grade twelve school, public and public charter, including community and court schools, to develop and maintain a CSSP designed to address campus risks, prepare for emergencies, and create a safe, secure learning environment for students and school personnel. In a school district with fewer than 2,501 units of average daily attendance, there may be one CSSP for all schools within the district.

The law requires designated stakeholders to annually engage in a systematic planning process to develop strategies and policies to prevent and respond to potential incidents involving emergencies, natural and other disasters, hate crimes, violence, active assailants/intruders, bullying and cyberbullying, discrimination and harassment, child abuse and neglect, discipline, suspension and expulsion, and other safety aspects.

Schools, districts, and COEs all play a role in effective school safety planning and are responsible for familiarity with, and fulfillment of, applicable requirements of EC sections 32280–32289.5.