Emergency preparedness for K-12 schools
This page is for system leaders, school leaders, and the staff who plan for emergencies in Louisiana school systems. It explains what state law requires, where to find the Louisiana Department of Education's Disaster Playbook, and where to get help before, during, and after a disaster.
Start here
LDOE Disaster Playbook
Follow role-based steps to protect students and staff, reopen schools, and recover costs after any disaster.
Get help
Louisiana Center for Safe Schools
Get state help with emergency operations plans, drills, threat assessment, and school security.
What should we do before the next disaster?
The LDOE Disaster Playbook recommends five steps for every school system before the next event:
- Document current conditions. Keep facility assessments, asset inventories, and photos up to date so you can support insurance and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) claims.
- Define roles and decision authority across operations, finance, and compliance.
- Standardize your documentation and purchasing so they meet FEMA and other federal requirements.
- Put contracts for critical services, such as debris removal, in place before you need them.
- Plan how you will pay response costs while you wait for reimbursement.
What does state law require?
Louisiana law requires every public school to have an emergency operations plan (La. R.S. 17:416.16). Act 821(2026) updated these requirements on August 1, 2026. Each school must:
- Prepare its plan with local law enforcement, fire, public safety, and emergency preparedness officials.
- Review the plan with those officials at least once a year, and submit it to the local superintendent for approval each year and after each revision.
- Hold a safety drill within the first 30 instructional days of the school year and at least one more drill during a high-traffic or transition time of the school day. The principal sends the superintendent a written report within seven days of each drill.
- Train all teachers and staff on the plan each year with local response officials, and report the training to the superintendent and the Department.
- Complete the annual school safety questionnaire from the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools. Each school system then completes a district questionnaire. The Department and the Center will set the submission date.
- Keep the approved plan on file and make it available to the LDOE and the Center on request.
Each superintendent selects an emergency response coordinator, who oversees the plan and its training. Emergency operations plans are not subject to Louisiana's Public Records Law.
School bus availability during emergency evacuations
The Louisiana Department of Education and the Department of Transportation and Development have an interagency agreement to secure the use of available school buses in-school and out-of-school in the event of an emergency evacuation. For more information, download the Bulletin 119, Volume II: Louisiana Student Transportation Operational Procedures.
Where can we get help with our plan?
The Louisiana Center for Safe Schools helps schools develop and revise the emergency plans state law requires. It also provides training and technical assistance on emergency operations planning, emergency drills, threat assessment, facility security, and related topics. Act 846 (2026) placed the Center within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice.
What training is available?
FEMA's Emergency Management Institute offers self-paced online courses at no cost to those who qualify. We recommend these courses for school emergency planning teams:
CHILD CARE PROVIDERS
In preparation for possible emergency situations and in compliance with federal regulations the Department has developed the Louisiana Child Care Emergency Plan PDF and following resources. This plan and these resources are designed to support providers in their emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. As outlined in the Statewide Childhood Emergency Plan the Department will provide communications to advise providers and parents annually of the need for emergency preparedness and provide notices of emergency situations or impending emergency situations as they occur. These notices will be provided below and updated annually.
In the event of a hurricane or other disaster that produces widespread evacuation or extensive property damage, action may be needed to help ensure the safety of all individuals being cared for by providers. If a disaster occurs and the provider is located in one of the AFFECTED PARISHES, it may be necessary to suspend their license or certification WITHOUT NOTICE until the facility or home can be verified as safe to provide care. This may be accomplished by a required State Fire Marshall inspection, State Health inspection, on-site Licensing inspection and/or other agency-mandated procedure to ensure the safety of the adults and/or children in your care. The Provider’s license or certification would remain suspended until the facility is verified as safe. When the provider has remained open or is ready to reopen, the following form must be completed.
For questions contact Division of Licensing via email at [email protected] or by phone at 225-342-9905.
Helpful Resources
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Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (FEMA)
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2020 Louisiana Student Transportation Operational Procedures: The Louisiana Department of Education and the Department of Transportation and Development have an interagency agreement to secure the use of available school buses in-school and out-of-school in the event of an emergency evacuation.