Everton Jones (right), principal of Denham Town Primary and Morlton Wilson, principal of August Town Primary School, listen to general manager of PALS, Janilee Abrikian, at PALS Jamaica's launch of its critical incident management intervention programme at The Gleaner's North Street, central Kingston offices, yesterday. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

PALS Jamaica launched its critical incident management intervention for select schools yesterday. The event took the form of a two-hour workshop for principals and select staff of the participating schools.

The schools that comprise the pilot are August Town Primary, Denham Town Primary, Charlie Smith High School and Penwood High School. PALS is working in these schools under the IDB/Government of Jamaica's 'Citizen Security and Justice Programme' (CSJP).

Traumatic incidents

A 'crisis' or 'critical incident' is defined as a situation occurring outside the range of normal human experience, causing trauma to those involved. Such incidents may happen to an individual, a group or the whole school. The event is usually unexpected, overwhelming the usual coping mechanisms.

In a crisis, a core objective is to ensure the school establishes early control, disruption is minimised, and recovery is as quick as possible.

PALS is promoting the implementation of a critical incident management response plan as a key component of a school's overall safety plan. The plan is a proactive and direct way of planning for and managing critical incidents at school. The plan also speaks to the need for programmes that generate compliant student behaviour.

Crime and violence

Guided by the principles espoused in the 'Critical Incident Management Guidelines' manual, schools will be able to effectively manage crises, including those generated by crime and violence - fights with and without weapons, shootings, gang activity; rape; kidnappings, suicide; facility emergencies; and, weather events.

A key feature of the intervention will be the establishment of the critical response team (CRT). The CRT will be the first persons called upon to act during a critical incident.

PALS also addressed its ongoing work with the CSJP schools in the area of discipline and order, specifically, the development of the schools' conduct code for students.