ABC  Communications Team

School Emergency Management Reporting System S.E.M.R.S.

                  Click Banner to Access S.E.M.R.S.

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What is S.E.M.R.S.?

The ongoing threat of natural disasters, violence and emerging hazards call communities to increase emergency preparedness and response. Schools, in particular, which service thousands of students and staff must address challenges in accessing and communicating critical data during emergencies and disasters to and from a variety of agencies and individuals including emergency responders and families.

The School Emergency Management and Response System (SEMRS) is a digital communication system designed and implemented by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Education's Emergency Response and Crisis Management grant program. Although not designed to replace standard '911' protocols, SEMRS serves as an alternative means for communicating and archiving emergency data. In particular, SEMRS can assist schools to communicate standard and consistent emergency data in an efficient manner to district personnel, LACOE, and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). This system will link into the Emergency Management Information System (EMIS) currently being implemented by OEM. Initially, this system will be implemented within the ABC, Compton, and Lynwood Unified School Districts.


The system allows schools and districts to accomplish the following:

  ~ Update and upload emergency plans on an annual basis;
  ~ Update emergency team information;
  ~ Report on the status of emergencies at the school sites;
  ~ Provide parents with critical information regarding school  
     emergencies;
  ~ Assist school district personnel manage large scale emergencies; and
  ~ Access school information from remote sites using wireless
     communication systems.
  ~ In the future, parents and community members will be able to access
     emergency information with regards to their children by accessing this
     system. SEMRS will be able to provide school emergency procedures,
     emergency team information, reunification areas, and on and off
     campus staging areas.

Great California Shake Out Nov 13, 2008

LACOE is encouraging L.A. County schools to participate in The Great Southern California ShakeOut, which will feature the largest earthquake drill inU.S. history  on Nov. 13, 2008. At 10 a.m. on that day,millions of people are expected to practice “Drop,Cover and Hold On” and learn disaster-preparedness tips.

A few months before the magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck Southern California on July 29, LACOE partnered with the Earthquake Country Alliance in promoting ShakeOut.In an e-mail sent recently to district superintendents, LACOE Superintendent Darline Robles said the July 29 quake serves as a reminder that schools need to be prepared for the “Big One.”

PowerPoint  Instructions for SEMRS