Issues > Emergency Management

Emergency Management

High-profile events and disasters, such as the court-related shootings in Atlanta and Hurricane Katrina, showed that courts should be prepared for the worst. In 2006 NCSC helped courts prepare for both natural and manmade disasters and catastrophes.

Comprehensive Emergency Management Program
NCSC brought together a coalition of 20 nationally recognized court and emergency-preparedness professionals to develop a guide and templates to help courts prepare for when disaster strikes. This program provides courts the tools they need to develop a comprehensive, ongoing emergency management program—and the means to recover following disruptions.

National Strategic Plan for Judicial Branch Security
In response to discussions held at the National Summit on Court Safety and Security and Follow-Up Meeting, NCSC drafted an ambitious plan that calls for an integrated approach to court security. The plan features eight strategies courts should follow to improve the safety of court personnel and the public, such as developing a national incident database and a national interactive resource center to capture and share information on court security and safety.

Emergency Preparedness in State Courts: Ten Questions that Courts Serving Abused and Neglected Children Must Address
Government emergency plans seldom address how to aid families, and particularly children, in the aftermath of a natural disaster. This online guide takes the lessons of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, applies them to emergency-preparedness planning for courts that hear cases involving dependent children, and discusses ten key questions that courts must answer to prepare for disaster.