The Utilization of Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Programming and Its Effects

The program Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) is an initiative within the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that works towards providing the nation's K-12 schools, school districts, and postsecondary institutions with a safe and healthy learning environment for students, faculty, and staff members. With the education system being one of the most important subsectors of the 16 Critical Infrastructure Sectors, it is fundamental that all schools, regardless of whether they are public or private, large or small, and institutions of higher education (IHEs), are prepared and have plans in place to ensure the safety and protection of all members involved with the school. Threats towards the education system can present itself in a variety of ways, including, fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, active shooter situations, and widespread viruses. While programs such as REMS are very important to support the health and safety of school aged children and their educators, there are further steps that need to be taken to promote improvement within the program REMS. This poster presentation will present the background and necessity of the REMS program and also ways in which the program can be improved.