Staying Alive

It took three and a half years to read this book, but that really has nothing to do with the book. Throw the pandemic into the mix, as well as my time as the Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness for a public school district, and it was a while before I could pick something up that discussed (in large part) school system preparedness and response.

I appreciated the authors' efforts to not compile a simplified, cookie-cutter how-to list. There are several cited resources (some of which I had read) that added a collaborative spirit and credibility to the narrative. Further, I appreciated the focus on situational awareness and personal accountability. As a planner, I was pleased to see acknowledgement of how active true planning can be, with a need to customize a set of guidelines for place, context, personnel, etc. Planning is hard, and it's unfortunate that so many relegate it to an often templated, regulatory exercise.

In summary, the content won't be for everyone, but this text offers balanced, thoughtful ways to respond to crises.