Safety First! Do You Have a Rolling Cart for Carrying Your Materials?

Did you know that carrying too many materials is a common way Heartland AEA staff trip and fall while on the job? Be like the guy in the second photo and get yourself a rolling cart to haul your materials from place to place. Any staff member can get one!

DON’T try to carry all your materials in your hands.

DO contact your administrative assistant or Colleen Miller in Operations to get a rolling cart!

Reminder: Have You Learned What ALICE Stands for Yet?

As Heartland AEA continues to make improvements in our agency’s safety and security, all staff are required to complete the online ALICE training once each school year. By the end of the 2021-22 school year (June 30, 2022), all Heartland AEA staff members should take the hour-long online training to become familiar with the ALICE program and the techniques it teaches in response to an armed intruder event. 

ALICE stands for: 

• Alert: Get the word out! “Armed Intruder in building” instead of “Code Red,” or “Bring the purple folder to the office.” Use clear, concise language to convey the type and location of the event. 
• Lockdown: Good starting point. We will continue to lockdown in secure areas. Inform: Communication keeps the intruder off balance and allows for good decision-making. 
• Counter: Apply skills to distract, confuse and gain control. 
• Evacuate: Reduce the number of potential targets for the intruder and reduce the chances of victims resulting from friendly fire when help arrives. 

In short, using the ALICE method will give you more tools to use in the event of an armed intruder/active shooter. We want to provide you with the knowledge that if faced with a life or death situation there are methods that can be applied to enhance your chance of survival. 

 

 

 

Again, you are expected to complete the ALICE online training by the end of June 2022. 

The training has been assigned to all Heartland AEA employees in the AEA Learning Online Learning System. 

Access the Training

Visit the AEA Learning Online training site. Enter the email and password used for your AEA Login and click log in. 

Assistance 

If you need assistance accessing the site, contact Dawn Peitzman, Professional Learning Assistant
. If you have any questions about the training or the ALICE program in general, contact Dustin Gean, Operations Manager, Emergency Response & Safety Team Lead and Certified ALICE Trainer.

Don’t Forget: You Need to Complete ALICE Training by the End of Each School Year

As Heartland AEA continues to make improvements in our agency’s safety and security, all staff are required to complete the online ALICE training once each school year. By the end of the 2021-22 school year (June 30, 2022), all Heartland AEA staff members should take the hour-long online training to become familiar with the ALICE program and the techniques it teaches in response to an armed intruder event. 

ALICE stands for: 

• Alert: Get the word out! “Armed Intruder in building” instead of “Code Red,” or “Bring the purple folder to the office.” Use clear, concise language to convey the type and location of the event. 
• Lockdown: Good starting point. We will continue to lockdown in secure areas. Inform: Communication keeps the intruder off balance and allows for good decision-making. 
• Counter: Apply skills to distract, confuse and gain control. 
• Evacuate: Reduce the number of potential targets for the intruder and reduce the chances of victims resulting from friendly fire when help arrives. 

In short, using the ALICE method will give you more tools to use in the event of an armed intruder/active shooter. We want to provide you with the knowledge that if faced with a life or death situation there are methods that can be applied to enhance your chance of survival. 

 

 

 

Again, you are expected to complete the ALICE online training by the end of June 2022. 

The training has been assigned to all Heartland AEA employees in the AEA Learning Online Learning System. 

Access the Training

Visit the AEA Learning Online training site. Enter the email and password used for your AEA Login and click log in. 

Assistance 

If you need assistance accessing the site, contact Dawn Peitzman, Professional Learning Assistant
. If you have any questions about the training or the ALICE program in general, contact Dustin Gean, Operations Manager, Emergency Response & Safety Team Lead and Certified ALICE Trainer.

Reminder: We Need You! Will You Consider Being a Member of the Polk & Jasper County School Reunification Response Teams?

What is Emergency Response and Reunification? 

An essential component of school emergency response is the reunification of students with their parents or primary caregiver after an emergency has taken place. A well-organized and timely reunification process is critical to reducing emergency-based trauma in children and is often the only mental health crisis intervention needed following an emergency. The sooner children are reunited with caregivers, the less likely they are to exhibit traumatic stress. 

How are Schools Managing Their Reunification Plans? 

As schools across Iowa develop and exercise reunification plans, they have discovered that most lack the resources to effectively and efficiently complete the associated tasks. This is especially true in instances involving significant trauma such as active shooter, weather, chemical and other emergencies. In these types of events, research indicates that children are best left under the supervision of their teacher, who they trust and seek for safety. This leaves very limited school and district staff available for carrying out the reunification plan. This also requires school personnel directly impacted by the emergency to carry out complex reunification tasks that they may not be able to emotionally manage. 

How Can Heartland AEA Help? 

Heartland AEA is in a unique position to assist schools in Jasper County (Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, Lynnville-Sully, Newton and PCM) and schools in Polk County (Bondurant-Farrar, Des Moines, Johnston, North Polk, Saydel, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, West Des Moines) by establishing a response team to reunify children with caregivers in an emergency. Should an emergency requiring reunification of children occur, Heartland AEA staff would deploy to the identified reunification site and assure the school that families are quickly and accurately reunified. 

How Can You Help? 

Volunteer! All Agency staff in any role are invited to volunteer. A variety of individual skills sets are needed to fill the roles and responsibilities associated with the reunification team: 

• Logistics staff is needed to see that the necessary equipment, signage and supplies are delivered and set up at a reunification site should the team be requested for deployment.
• Administrative staff must carry out accurate record collection and verification of identification to assure students are safely reunified with the proper caregiver. 
• Mental health services and support staff are needed to assure that both children and adults receive assistance in a supportive and empathetic environment while they await reunification. 
• Security staff is needed to assist law enforcement by identifying potential areas of concern and assuring the safety of everyone seeking reunification services. 

Will You Serve on a Reunification Response Team? 

At this time, regional reunification response plans are being organized in the counties of Jasper and Polk. If you have the desire to volunteer on a reunification team, complete this Reunification Response Volunteer Recruitment Form by Nov. 19. NOTE: Even if you previously indicated your interest in serving on a response team, you need to sign up again. This call for volunteers will be conducted on an annual basis. 

What are the Next Steps? 

The Agency’s Reunification Response Organizing Team will conduct reunification workshops to learn and practice the Reunification Response process. Volunteers will be expected to attend one workshop session. 

Workshop Dates 

Nov. 30, 2021 from 12:00 - 3:30 p.m. 

Jan. 4, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. - Noon 

Registration

Select ONE Workshop to Attend 

HL - Emergency Response and Reunification Team Training, (Course # 202625) 

We Need You! Will You Consider Being a Member of the Polk & Jasper County School Reunification Response Teams?

What is Emergency Response and Reunification? 

An essential component of school emergency response is the reunification of students with their parents or primary caregiver after an emergency has taken place. A well-organized and timely reunification process is critical to reducing emergency-based trauma in children and is often the only mental health crisis intervention needed following an emergency. The sooner children are reunited with caregivers, the less likely they are to exhibit traumatic stress. 

How are Schools Managing Their Reunification Plans? 

As schools across Iowa develop and exercise reunification plans, they have discovered that most lack the resources to effectively and efficiently complete the associated tasks. This is especially true in instances involving significant trauma such as active shooter, weather, chemical and other emergencies. In these types of events, research indicates that children are best left under the supervision of their teacher, who they trust and seek for safety. This leaves very limited school and district staff available for carrying out the reunification plan. This also requires school personnel directly impacted by the emergency to carry out complex reunification tasks that they may not be able to emotionally manage. 

How Can Heartland AEA Help? 

Heartland AEA is in a unique position to assist schools in Jasper County (Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, Lynnville-Sully, Newton and PCM) and schools in Polk County (Bondurant-Farrar, Des Moines, Johnston, North Polk, Saydel, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, West Des Moines) by establishing a response team to reunify children with caregivers in an emergency. Should an emergency requiring reunification of children occur, Heartland AEA staff would deploy to the identified reunification site and assure the school that families are quickly and accurately reunified. 

How Can You Help? 

Volunteer! All Agency staff in any role are invited to volunteer. A variety of individual skills sets are needed to fill the roles and responsibilities associated with the reunification team: 

• Logistics staff is needed to see that the necessary equipment, signage and supplies are delivered and set up at a reunification site should the team be requested for deployment.
• Administrative staff must carry out accurate record collection and verification of identification to assure students are safely reunified with the proper caregiver. 
• Mental health services and support staff are needed to assure that both children and adults receive assistance in a supportive and empathetic environment while they await reunification. 
• Security staff is needed to assist law enforcement by identifying potential areas of concern and assuring the safety of everyone seeking reunification services. 

Will You Serve on a Reunification Response Team? 

At this time, regional reunification response plans are being organized in the counties of Jasper and Polk. If you have the desire to volunteer on a reunification team, complete this Reunification Response Volunteer Recruitment Form by Nov. 19. NOTE: Even if you previously indicated your interest in serving on a response team, you need to sign up again. This call for volunteers will be conducted on an annual basis. 

What are the Next Steps? 

The Agency’s Reunification Response Organizing Team will conduct reunification workshops to learn and practice the Reunification Response process. Volunteers will be expected to attend one workshop session. 

Workshop Dates 

Nov. 30, 2021 from 12:00 - 3:30 p.m. 

Jan. 4, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. - Noon 

Registration

Select ONE Workshop to Attend 

HL - Emergency Response and Reunification Team Training, (Course # 202625) 

It’s Fire Prevention Week -- Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety

This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!” works to educate everyone about the different sounds the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make. Knowing what to do when an alarm sounds will keep you and your family safe. When an alarm makes noises – a beeping sound or a chirping sound – you must take action. 

What if someone in your home is deaf or hard of hearing? 

There are smoke alarms and alert devices that alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices include strobe lights that flash to alert people when the smoke alarm sounds. Pillow or bed shakers designed to work with your smoke alarm also can be purchased and installed. For more information on this important topic, visit Fire Safety for the deaf or hard of hearing section. 

Safety Tip Sheet 

Family Action Plan 

More information can be found on the Fire Prevention Week website.

Reminder: Don’t Forget All Staff Need to Complete ALICE Training by the End of Each School Year

As Heartland AEA continues to make improvements in our agency’s safety and security, all staff are required to complete the online ALICE training once each school year. 

By the end of the 2020-21 school year (June 30, 2021), all Heartland AEA staff members should take the hour-long online training to become familiar with the ALICE program and the techniques it teaches in response to an armed intruder event. 

ALICE stands for: 

• Alert: Get the word out! “Armed Intruder in building” instead of “Code Red,” or “Bring the purple folder to the office.” Use clear, concise language to convey the type and location of the event. 
• Lockdown: Good starting point. We will continue to lockdown in secure areas. 
• Inform: Communication keeps the intruder off balance and allows for good decision-making. Counter: Apply skills to distract, confuse and gain control. 
• Evacuate: Reduce the number of potential targets for the intruder and reduce chances of victims resulting from friendly fire when help arrives. 

In short, using the ALICE method will give you more tools to use in the event of an armed intruder/active shooter. We want to provide you with the knowledge that if faced with a life or death situation there are methods that can be applied to enhance your chance of survival. 

 

 

 

Again, you are expected to complete the ALICE online training by the end of June 2021. 

The training has been assigned to all Heartland AEA employees in the AEA Learning Online Learning System. 

To access the training: 

Visit the AEA Learning Online training site. Enter the email and password used for your AEA Login and click log in. 

Assistance 

• If you need assistance accessing the site, contact Dawn Peitzman, Professional Learning Assistant
. 
• If you have any questions about the training or the ALICE program in general, contact Dustin Gean, Operations Manager, Emergency Response & Safety Team Lead and Certified ALICE Trainer.

Don’t Forget All Staff Need to Complete ALICE Training by the End of Each School Year

As Heartland AEA continues to make improvements in our agency’s safety and security, all staff are required to complete the online ALICE training once each school year. 

By the end of the 2020-21 school year (June 30, 2021), all Heartland AEA staff members should take the hour-long online training to become familiar with the ALICE program and the techniques it teaches in response to an armed intruder event. 

ALICE stands for: 

• Alert: Get the word out! “Armed Intruder in building” instead of “Code Red,” or “Bring the purple folder to the office.” Use clear, concise language to convey the type and location of the event. 
• Lockdown: Good starting point. We will continue to lockdown in secure areas. 
• Inform: Communication keeps the intruder off balance and allows for good decision-making. Counter: Apply skills to distract, confuse and gain control. 
• Evacuate: Reduce the number of potential targets for the intruder and reduce chances of victims resulting from friendly fire when help arrives. 

In short, using the ALICE method will give you more tools to use in the event of an armed intruder/active shooter. We want to provide you with the knowledge that if faced with a life or death situation there are methods that can be applied to enhance your chance of survival. 

 

 

 

Again, you are expected to complete the ALICE online training by the end of June 2021. 

The training has been assigned to all Heartland AEA employees in the AEA Learning Online Learning System. 

To access the training: 

Visit the AEA Learning Online training site. Enter the email and password used for your AEA Login and click log in. 

Assistance 

• If you need assistance accessing the site, contact Dawn Peitzman, Professional Learning Assistant
. 
• If you have any questions about the training or the ALICE program in general, contact Dustin Gean, Operations Manager, Emergency Response & Safety Team Lead and Certified ALICE Trainer.

March 22-26 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD), National Weather Service (NWS) and Iowa Emergency Management Association (IEMA) have joined together to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 22-26, 2021.   

Severe weather is a frequent and unwelcome visitor to Iowa. With spring right around the corner, now is an ideal time to increase our awareness of, and preparedness for, severe weather.   

For each day during Severe Weather Awareness Week a different subject will be highlighted: 

• Monday – Severe thunderstorms
 
• Tuesday – Weather warnings
 
• Wednesday – Tornadoes
 
• Thursday – Family preparedness
 
• Friday – Flash floods
 

The annual statewide tornado drill will take place on Wed., March 24, beginning at 11 a.m. during the weekly NOAA Weather Radio test (please note the time change from past years). 

For those who wish to participate, keep in mind COVID-19 safety guidelines, including: 

• Staying at least 6 feet from other people outside of your household in your shelter location, if possible
 
• Wearing a mask
 
• Washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes
 
• Avoiding touching high-touch surfaces, such as handrails, as much as possible
 

These guidelines also apply if you must go to a public shelter or stay with family or friends during, or following, severe weather or other emergencies.   

Severe Weather Awareness Week is a good time to review your family’s emergency plan and to check the contents of your emergency kit. Be sure to include in your emergency kit items you may need if you must shelter outside of your home, including masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes.

Reminder: Take a Minute to Learn More About the Emergency Information Sheets

The Agency’s Emergency Response and Safety Committee has produced a short video that provides an overview of the Emergency Information Sheet that’s available in each regional office. 

The information sheet is designed to help you quickly find the information you need in an emergency situation.

Take a Minute to Learn More About the Emergency Information Sheets

The Agency’s Emergency Response and Safety Committee has produced a short video that provides an overview of the Emergency Information Sheet that’s available in each regional office. 

The information sheet is designed to help you quickly find the information you need in an emergency situation.

Reminder: Polk & Jasper County Reunification Response Teams Launching; Staff Can Express Interest in Participating by Jan. 15

An essential component of school emergency response is the reunification of students with their parents or primary caregiver after an emergency has taken place. A well organized and timely reunification process is critical to reducing emergency-based trauma in children and is often the only mental health crisis intervention needed following an emergency. The sooner children are reunited with caregivers, the less likely they are to exhibit traumatic stress.     

As schools across Iowa develop and exercise reunification plans, they have discovered that most lack the resources to effectively and efficiently complete the associated tasks. This is especially true in instances involving significant trauma such as active shooter, weather, chemical and other emergencies. In these types of events, research indicates that children are best left under the supervision of their teacher, who they trust and seek for safety. This leaves very limited school and district staff available for carrying out the reunification plan. This also requires school personnel directly impacted by the emergency to carry out complex reunification tasks that they may not be able to emotionally manage.     

Heartland AEA is in a unique position to assist schools in Jasper County (Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, Lynnville-Sully, Newton and PCM) and schools in Polk County (Bondurant-Farrar, Des Moines, Johnston, North Polk, Saydel, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, West Des Moines) by establishing a response team to reunify children with caregivers in an emergency. Should an emergency requiring reunification of children occur, Heartland AEA staff would deploy to the identified reunification site and assure the school that families are quickly and accurately reunified.  

A variety of individual skills sets are needed to fill the roles and responsibilities associated with the reunification team:  

• Logistics staff is needed to see that the necessary equipment, signage and supplies are delivered and set up at a reunification site should the team be requested for deployment.  
• Administrative staff must carry out accurate record collection and verification of identification to assure students are safely reunified with the proper caregiver.  
• Mental health services and support staff is needed to assure that both children and adults receive assistance in a supportive and empathetic environment while they await reunification.  
• Security staff is needed to assist law enforcement by identifying potential areas of concern and assuring the safety of everyone seeking reunification services.  

Will You Serve on a Reunification Response Team?  

At this time, regional reunification response plans are being organized in the counties of Jasper and Polk. If you have the desire to join a reunification team, complete this Google form. Once volunteers are identified, we will be scheduling reunification exercise(s) to train and practice the Reunification Response process. All Agency staff in any role are invited to volunteer.  

**If you previously indicated your interest in serving on a response team, please sign up again. This call for volunteers will be conducted on an annual basis.

Reminder: You Are Invited to Join Polk or Jasper County Reunification Response Teams

An essential component of school emergency response is the reunification of students with their parents or primary caregiver after an emergency has taken place. A well organized and timely reunification process is critical to reducing emergency-based trauma in children and is often the only mental health crisis intervention needed following an emergency. The sooner children are reunited with caregivers, the less likely they are to exhibit traumatic stress.     

As schools across Iowa develop and exercise reunification plans, they have discovered that most lack the resources to effectively and efficiently complete the associated tasks. This is especially true in instances involving significant trauma such as active shooter, weather, chemical and other emergencies. In these types of events, research indicates that children are best left under the supervision of their teacher, who they trust and seek for safety. This leaves very limited school and district staff available for carrying out the reunification plan. This also requires school personnel directly impacted by the emergency to carry out complex reunification tasks that they may not be able to emotionally manage.     

Heartland AEA is in a unique position to assist schools in Jasper County (Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, Lynnville-Sully, Newton and PCM) and schools in Polk County (Bondurant-Farrar, Des Moines, Johnston, North Polk, Saydel, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, West Des Moines) by establishing a response team to reunify children with caregivers in an emergency. Should an emergency requiring reunification of children occur, Heartland AEA staff would deploy to the identified reunification site and assure the school that families are quickly and accurately reunified.  

A variety of individual skills sets are needed to fill the roles and responsibilities associated with the reunification team:  

• Logistics staff is needed to see that the necessary equipment, signage and supplies are delivered and set up at a reunification site should the team be requested for deployment.  
• Administrative staff must carry out accurate record collection and verification of identification to assure students are safely reunified with the proper caregiver.  
• Mental health services and support staff is needed to assure that both children and adults receive assistance in a supportive and empathetic environment while they await reunification.  
• Security staff is needed to assist law enforcement by identifying potential areas of concern and assuring the safety of everyone seeking reunification services.  

Will You Serve on a Reunification Response Team?  

At this time, regional reunification response plans are being organized in the counties of Jasper and Polk. If you have the desire to join a reunification team, complete this Google form. Once volunteers are identified, we will be scheduling reunification exercise(s) to train and practice the Reunification Response process. All Agency staff in any role are invited to volunteer.  

**If you previously indicated your interest in serving on a response team, please sign up again. This call for volunteers will be conducted on an annual basis.

Reminder: Polk & Jasper County Reunification Response Teams Launching; Staff Can Express Interest in Participating by Jan. 15

An essential component of school emergency response is the reunification of students with their parents or primary caregiver after an emergency has taken place. A well organized and timely reunification process is critical to reducing emergency-based trauma in children and is often the only mental health crisis intervention needed following an emergency. The sooner children are reunited with caregivers, the less likely they are to exhibit traumatic stress.     

As schools across Iowa develop and exercise reunification plans, they have discovered that most lack the resources to effectively and efficiently complete the associated tasks. This is especially true in instances involving significant trauma such as active shooter, weather, chemical and other emergencies. In these types of events, research indicates that children are best left under the supervision of their teacher, who they trust and seek for safety. This leaves very limited school and district staff available for carrying out the reunification plan. This also requires school personnel directly impacted by the emergency to carry out complex reunification tasks that they may not be able to emotionally manage.     

Heartland AEA is in a unique position to assist schools in Jasper County (Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, Lynnville-Sully, Newton and PCM) and schools in Polk County (Bondurant-Farrar, Des Moines, Johnston, North Polk, Saydel, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, West Des Moines) by establishing a response team to reunify children with caregivers in an emergency. Should an emergency requiring reunification of children occur, specially-trained Heartland AEA staff would deploy to the identified reunification site and assure the school that families are quickly and accurately reunified.  

The Heartland AEA Reunification Response Team would assure three important aspects of response:  

1. Reunification is done as quickly as possible, limiting the amount of time children and caregivers spend in the process;  
2. Children are reunited with the appropriate caregiver by confirming the identity and matching children with their legal guardian; and  
3. Children and families are connected to critical services that may be needed in the days, weeks and months following a traumatic event, such as a school shooting.  

A variety of individual skills sets are needed to fill the roles and responsibilities associated with the reunification team:  

• Logistics staff is needed to see that the necessary equipment, signage and supplies are delivered and set up at a reunification site should the team be requested for deployment.  
• Administrative staff must carry out accurate record collection and verification of identification to assure students are safely reunified with the proper caregiver.  
• Mental health services and support staff is needed to assure that both children and adults receive assistance in a supportive and empathetic environment while they await reunification.  
• Security staff is needed to assist law enforcement by identifying potential areas of concern and assuring the safety of everyone seeking reunification services.  

Are You Interested in Serving on a Reunification Response Team?  

At this time, a regional reunification response plan is being organized in the counties of Jasper and Polk. If you have the desire to assist children and families in an emergency, complete this Google form by Jan. 15, 2021, to indicate your interest in serving on a reunification response team(s). It is recommended that reunification response team members be able to respond to the Newton or Johnston areas within one hour should the team need to be activated. Once volunteers are identified, we will be scheduling Reunification exercise(s) to train and practice the Reunification Response process.   

**If you previously indicated your interest in serving on a response team, please sign up again. 

Polk & Jasper County Reunification Response Teams Launching; Staff Can Express Interest in Participating by Dec. 23

An essential component of school emergency response is the reunification of students with their parents or primary caregiver after an emergency has taken place. A well organized and timely reunification process is critical to reducing emergency-based trauma in children and is often the only mental health crisis intervention needed following an emergency. The sooner children are reunited with caregivers, the less likely they are to exhibit traumatic stress.     

As schools across Iowa develop and exercise reunification plans, they have discovered that most lack the resources to effectively and efficiently complete the associated tasks. This is especially true in instances involving significant trauma such as active shooter, weather, chemical and other emergencies. In these types of events, research indicates that children are best left under the supervision of their teacher, who they trust and seek for safety. This leaves very limited school and district staff available for carrying out the reunification plan. This also requires school personnel directly impacted by the emergency to carry out complex reunification tasks that they may not be able to emotionally manage.     

Heartland AEA is in a unique position to assist schools in Jasper County (Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, Lynnville-Sully, Newton and PCM) and schools in Polk County (Bondurant-Farrar, Des Moines, Johnston, North Polk, Saydel, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, West Des Moines) by establishing a response team to reunify children with caregivers in an emergency. Should an emergency requiring reunification of children occur, specially-trained Heartland AEA staff would deploy to the identified reunification site and assure the school that families are quickly and accurately reunified.  

The Heartland AEA Reunification Response Team would assure three important aspects of response:  

1. Reunification is done as quickly as possible, limiting the amount of time children and caregivers spend in the process;  
2. Children are reunited with the appropriate caregiver by confirming the identity and matching children with their legal guardian; and  
3. Children and families are connected to critical services that may be needed in the days, weeks and months following a traumatic event, such as a school shooting.  

A variety of individual skills sets are needed to fill the roles and responsibilities associated with the reunification team:  

• Logistics staff is needed to see that the necessary equipment, signage and supplies are delivered and set up at a reunification site should the team be requested for deployment.  
• Administrative staff must carry out accurate record collection and verification of identification to assure students are safely reunified with the proper caregiver.  
• Mental health services and support staff is needed to assure that both children and adults receive assistance in a supportive and empathetic environment while they await reunification.  
• Security staff is needed to assist law enforcement by identifying potential areas of concern and assuring the safety of everyone seeking reunification services.  

Are You Interested in Serving on a Reunification Response Team?  

At this time, a regional reunification response plan is being organized in the counties of Jasper and Polk. If you have the desire to assist children and families in an emergency, complete this Google form by Dec. 23, 2020, to indicate your interest in serving on a reunification response team(s). It is recommended that reunification response team members be able to respond to the Newton or Johnston areas within one hour should the team need to be activated. Once volunteers are identified, we will be scheduling Reunification exercise(s) to train and practice the Reunification Response process.   

**If you previously indicated your interest in serving on a response team, please sign up again. 

Reminder: Have You Completed Your Online ALICE Training for 2020-21?

 As Heartland AEA continues to make improvements in our agency’s safety and security, all staff are required to complete the online ALICE training once each school year. By the end of the 2020-21 school year (June 30, 2021), all Heartland AEA staff members should take the hour-long online training to become familiar with the ALICE program and the techniques it teaches in response to an armed intruder event.  







ALICE stands for:    

• Alert: Get the word out! “Armed Intruder in building” instead of “Code Red,” or “Bring the purple folder to the office.” Use clear, concise language to convey the type and location of the event.    
• Lockdown: Good starting point. We will continue to lockdown in secure areas.    
• Inform: Communication keeps the intruder off balance and allows for good decision-making. 
• Counter: Apply skills to distract, confuse and gain control.    
• Evacuate: Reduce the number of potential targets for the intruder and reduce chances of victims resulting from friendly fire when help arrives.    

In short, using the ALICE method will give you more tools to use in the event of an armed intruder/active shooter. We want to provide you with the knowledge that if faced with a life or death situation there are methods that can be applied to enhance your chance of survival. 

 

 



Again, you are expected to complete the ALICE online training by the end of June 2021.   



The training has been assigned to all Heartland AEA employees in the AEA Learning Online Learning System. 

To access the training:  

• Visit the AEA Learning Online training site. 
• Enter the email and password used for your AEA Login and click log in. 

Assistance 

If you need assistance accessing the site, contact: 

Carol Naylor, Professional Learning Registrar


If you have any questions about the training or the ALICE program in general, contact 

Dustin Gean, Operations Manager

Emergency Response & Safety Team Lead and Certified ALICE Trainer

Have You Completed Your Online ALICE Training for 2020-21?

As Heartland AEA continues to make improvements in our agency’s safety and security, all staff are required to complete the online ALICE training once each school year. By the end of the 2020-21 school year (June 30, 2021), all Heartland AEA staff members should take the hour-long online training to become familiar with the ALICE program and the techniques it teaches in response to an armed intruder event.  







ALICE stands for:    

• Alert: Get the word out! “Armed Intruder in building” instead of “Code Red,” or “Bring the purple folder to the office.” Use clear, concise language to convey the type and location of the event.    
• Lockdown: Good starting point. We will continue to lockdown in secure areas.    
• Inform: Communication keeps the intruder off balance and allows for good decision-making. 
• Counter: Apply skills to distract, confuse and gain control.    
• Evacuate: Reduce the number of potential targets for the intruder and reduce chances of victims resulting from friendly fire when help arrives.    

In short, using the ALICE method will give you more tools to use in the event of an armed intruder/active shooter. We want to provide you with the knowledge that if faced with a life or death situation there are methods that can be applied to enhance your chance of survival. 

 

 



Again, you are expected to complete the ALICE online training by the end of June 2021.   



The training has been assigned to all Heartland AEA employees in the AEA Learning Online Learning System. 

To access the training:  

• Visit the AEA Learning Online training site. 
• Enter the email and password used for your AEA Login and click log in. 

Assistance 

If you need assistance accessing the site, contact: 

Carol Naylor, Professional Learning Registrar


If you have any questions about the training or the ALICE program in general, contact 

Dustin Gean, Operations Manager

Emergency Response & Safety Team Lead and Certified ALICE Trainer

January is National Radon Action Month; Learn How to Test Your Home

Radon is an invisible radioactive gas found all over the U.S., but Iowa has some of the nation's highest levels of radon. Radon causes no immediate health symptoms; however, long-term exposure can lead to lung cancer. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and according to the U.S. EPA, it is the first leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Each year, radon kills more people than drunk driving accidents, falls, in the home, drowning, and house fires. The good news is - you can fix a radon problem.   

Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil. The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test. A simple test kit can reveal the amount of radon in any building. Buildings with high levels can usually be fixed safely and affordably, and new homes can be built with radon-resistant features. Every new home, however, should be tested after occupancy regardless of whether or not it was built to be radon-resistant.   

Learn more about testing your home and how to obtain a kit.

Ice and Snow are on the Way -- Nov. 7 is Winter Weather Awareness Day

Each year, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the National Weather Service sponsor Winter Weather Awareness Day. Winter storms can bring heavy snow, ice, strong winds and freezing rain. Winter Weather Awareness Day is an opportunity to remind Iowans that there are steps they can take to be prepared for winter. Because it's a matter of when, not if, winter weather will occur. Advance preparation is key to preventing injuries and death during the winter months. For more information on preparing for winter weather, visit the Ready Iowa Winter Weather webpage.

Don’t Veer for the Deer!

With so many of our staff on the road during their workweeks, we wanted to pass along these tips for avoiding hitting a deer. 

From GEICO
We know many car/deer accidents are unavoidable, especially this time of year, but these are good reminders for anyone who lives in Iowa.