Planning Guidelines

2026-11-03

Updating the Maryland Emergency Planning Guidelines : Alignment with iLoveUGuys . org Standard Response Protocols ( SRP ): To enhance the consistency and effectiveness of Maryland ' s school emergency operations , the Maryland Emergency Planning Guidelines ( MEPG ) will be updated to align with the iLoveUGuys . org Standard Response Protocols ( SRP ). The SRP , widely recognized for its simplicity and clarity , provides a unified language for responding to school emergencies , such as active shooter situations , evacuations , lockdowns , and shelter - in - place orders . As such key tasks shall include ; 1 . Incorporate SRP terminology such as Secure , Lockdown , Evacuate , Shelter , and Hold into the Maryland Emergency Planning Guidelines to ensure all school personnel understand and can act swiftly during emergencies . A . Develop a toolkit of resources aligned with SRP that includes checklists , sample communication templates , signage , and scenario - based drills to assist in the execution of these protocols . a . Enhanced communication strategies using SRP principles will help ensure that emergency messages are clear and accessible to everyone , from students and staff to parents and local law enforcement . b . Regulatory Requirements : Analyze the current Maryland regulations ( specifically Md . Code Regs . 13A . 02 . 02 . 04 ) needs to be amended to reflect these updated protocols . c . Legal Review : Have legal experts review proposed amendments to ensure they comply with state and federal law . B . Provide comprehensive training for school staff and students on standard response protocols through regular drills and exercises to promote preparedness . 2 . Community outreach : Community outreach to parents , guardians and the general public are an important component for local education agencies , non - public and private educational institutions . A . Development of public outreach materials including crisis communication templates , brochures , citizens ’ guides , website content , leaflets , articles , posters , public meeting materials , community forums , and other methods of public outreach . a . Ensuring all materials meet federal , State , and local accessibility compliance laws .

Maryland

2026-05-02