Skip to main content

Emergency Operations Planning (EOP)

Announcement 2026 EOP Minimum Requirements

Emergency planning plays a critical role in creating safe, secure, and resilient learning environments. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) supports school districts and charter schools in developing, implementing, and maintaining site-specific Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) and Continuity of Operations Plans (COOPs) that align with Arizona's Minimum Requirements for School Emergency Operations Plans. These plans provide a framework for prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts that help safeguard students, staff, and school operations during emergencies.

ADE offers guidance, templates, training, resources, and technical assistance to help schools build and sustain effective emergency preparedness programs, regardless of size, location, or capacity. Charter schools are required to maintain a site-specific EOP for each school location in accordance with Arizona's minimum requirements. For a summary of applicable statutes, please review the School Safety Requirements for Arizona Charter Schools.

EOP Toolkit

Arizona Revised Statute 15-341 (A) (31) requires each school to develop an emergency operations plan that meets the minimum requirements prescribed by the Arizona Department of Education and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. The emergency operations plans developed under A.R.S. 15-341 (A) (31) must identify how schools and emergency responders will communicate with and assist students with disabilities. 

These plans are required by Arizona law (ARS § 15-341(A)(31)), and the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) assists schools in creating and improving them. Together, they help protect students, staff, and families across the state.

  Laws Pertaining to School Safety

  • Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), 15-341 (A) (31) requires each school site to have an emergency response plan that meets the minimum state requirements. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) are responsible for developing the minimum standards for school emergency response plans in Arizona.
  • ARS 15-I83 (E)(1) Requires charter schools to comply with applicable school safety laws. As a result, charter schools are required to develop and maintain an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for each school site in accordance with these Minimum Requirements.
  • Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), 41-1801 includes definitions for Critical Infrastructure Information to include Emergency Response Plans. ARS 41-1801
  • Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), 41-1803 details statewide critical infrastructure information system; disclosure; definition. ARS 41-1803
  • Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), 15-341 (A) (36). informs on general powers and duties; bullying policy requirements for school districts.

2026 Arizona EOP Minimum Requirements

  • 2026 Emergency Operations Plan Self-Assessment Under Construction!

2026 ADE EOP Template

Functional, and Threat Annex Templates

  •  Response Annex Templates Under Construction!
  •  Threat Annex Templates Under Construction!

 

Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)

ADE Archived Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) Training

ADE School Continuity of Operation Planning (COOP) Training Series

ADE Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) Templates and Tools

 Emergency Planning Technical Assistance

The Arizona Department of Education's School Preparedness team is committed to answering questions about all-hazards emergency operations planning for K-12 schools. School safety planners can request EOP technical support by completing the School Emergency Operations Plan Support Request Form. 

 Planning for Access and Functional Needs For Students and Staff

Students with disabilities and special needs should always be considered in school and district emergency planning conversations.  Highly effective emergency operations plans take into account the entire school community, from students and staff members to visitors and volunteers, so that schools and districts can plan the appropriate actions that ensure the safety of all.  

In 2023, A.R.S. 15-341 (A) (31) was expanded to include that emergency response and operations plans developed must address how the school and emergency responders will communicate with and provide assistance to students with disabilities. Planning for students in emergencies means planning for all students, including those with disabilities and special needs. Lessons learned from recent disasters have emphasized and illuminated the critical steps schools need to take to protect their campuses. Meeting the needs of students with disabilities and special needs in the event of an emergency does not have to be a daunting or costly task. It simply requires administrators and officials to take into account the entire school community, from students and staff members to visitors and volunteers, and then take the appropriate actions to ensure the safety of all.  Please find additional resources and form

 

     Regional Safety Consortiums

    The Arizona Regional Consortia for School Emergency Preparedness (ARCSEP) offers six regional school safety consortium meetings in the state: Phoenix (Central), Gilbert (East Valley), Litchfield Park (West Valley), Tucson (Southern), Flagstaff (Northern), and Yuma (Western).  The regional consortia are sponsored by The Trust and meet quarterly to provide presentations on emergency preparedness topics of interest and lessons learned. 

    For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

     Frequently Asked Questions

     

    Why do we have the 2026 EOP Minimum Requirements? 

    Arizona statute requires the EOP Minimum Requirements to be reviewed and updated every five years to ensure that Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) remain current and aligned with current safety practices. Although the 2024 EOP Minimum Requirements were still within the review cycle, they were revisited in response to recommendations identified in the Auditor General’s 2024 Special Audit Report.

    The 2026 Minimum Requirements were developed through a collaborative process involving the Arizona Department of Education, the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA), and the Comprehensive School Safety Advisory Council. Input and feedback were gathered from the Council's working groups, which included educators, charter school representatives, emergency management professionals, law enforcement, school administrators, school nurses and school mental health professionals. The resulting revisions were informed by stakeholder feedback, and the findings of the Auditor General's Special Audit Report.

    What are the updates in the 2026 Minimum Requirements?

    The 2026 Minimum Requirements include several updates designed to strengthen school emergency preparedness, clarify compliance expectations, and increase flexibility for schools and districts. Updates  include:

    • Inclusion  of charter school requirements from A.R.S 15-183(E)(1)
    • Expanded Incident Command System (ICS) structure and staffing requirements
    • Authorization for ICS positions to be filled by qualified community partners
    • Initial ICS training requirements and a 3-year training cycle
    • Adoption of the I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol (SRP) as an expected component of school emergency procedures
    • Updated terminology for annexes within emergency operations plans.
    • After Action Review and Improvement Planning following every drill and event
     

    When must schools begin using the ADE EOP Template?

    All schools will be required to use the ADE EOP Template no later than March 1, 2027. Schools are encouraged to begin reviewing their current plans and preparing for the transition now. 

    How does the 2026 version address charter schools?

    The 2026 Minimum Requirements  incorporate language from A.R.S. 15-183(E)(1) to clarify that charter schools are expected to meet applicable school safety and emergency preparedness requirements. This update ensures greater consistency across public and charter schools regarding safety planning and emergency management expectations.

    What changes were made to the Incident Command System (ICS) structure?

    The ICS structure has been updated to improve scalability and flexibility for schools of varying sizes.  Changes include:

    • An increase in the number of ICS positions identified within the structure.
    • A reduction in the number of individuals required to fill those positions.
    • Greater flexibility for smaller, rural, and remote campuses that may have limited staffing.

    This update helps schools establish a functional ICS while recognizing differing staffing capacities.

    Can ICS positions be filled by people who are not school employees?

    Yes. The 2026 Minimum Requirements allow designated ICS positions to be filled by qualified community partners who are not employed by the school.  Examples may include:

    • Local government personnel
    • First responders
    • Emergency management personnel
    • School resource officers
    • Mental health professionals
    • Other designated community safety partners

    Schools should ensure that all assigned individuals understand their roles and meet applicable training requirements.

    What are the new ICS training requirements?

    Before an individual is assigned to an ICS role, they must complete:

    Within the first year of assignment to an ICS role, individuals assigned shall complete: 

    Additional approved training options shall be completed at least once every three years. These options provide schools with greater flexibility to build emergency preparedness knowledge based on local needs and hazards.

    How often must ICS personnel receive training?

    Previously, personnel were expected to complete training updates within a ten-year cycle. Under the 2026 Minimum Requirements, ICS personnel are expected to complete at least one approved training every three years. 

    This change helps ensure ICS team members remain current on emergency management principles, school safety practices, and evolving response expectations.

    What is the Standard Response Protocol (SRP)?

    The I Love U Guys Foundation Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is a nationally recognized framework that establishes common language and actions during emergencies.

    The protocol uses the following standard responses:

    • Hold                                                            
    • Secure                                                       
    • Shelter                                                        
    • Lockdown                                                 
    • Evacuate                                                
    • Reunification

    Using common terminology helps staff, students, families, and first responders respond more effectively during emergencies.

    Is the Standard Response Protocol now required?

    Yes. The 2026 Minimum Requirements establish the I Love U Guys Foundation Standard Response Protocol (SRP) as the expected framework for all Arizona public and charter schools.  A common statewide protocol provides consistent language, actions, and expectations for emergencies. This shared approach gives students, staff, administrators, and emergency responders a common understanding of what to do during an emergency. For families with children in different schools or districts, common terminology reduces confusion and makes emergency communications easier to understand. Using the same language and procedures statewide improves communication, supports coordinated response efforts, and helps build confidence in school emergency procedures.

    Schools shall incorporate SRP terminology, procedures, and training into their emergency management practices.

    What annexes are required under the 2026 Minimum Requirements for EOPs? 

    The 2026 Minimum Requirements organize EOP annexes into two categories:

    Response Annexes

    • Hold
    • Secure
    • Shelter
    • Lockdown
    • Evacuate
    • Reunification

    Threat and Hazard Annexes

    • Active Threat on Campus
    • Reported Threat to Campus
    • Utility Disruption
    • Outbreaks, Epidemics, and Pandemics
    • At least two additional annexes identified through the Hazard Assessment Worksheet
     

    Have drill requirements changed?

    No. Fire code and statutory drill requirements have not changed. To align with existing transportation safety expectations, the 2026 Minimum Requirements include bus evacuation drills within the drill requirements.

    What is required after a school drill or incident?

    An After Action Review and Improvement Plan  is required following every drill and incident to support improvement as school safety teams:  

    • Identify strengths demonstrated during the drill
    • Document areas for improvement
    • Correct procedural issues before an actual emergency occurs
    • Establish timelines for improvements
    • Identify training needs
    • Support ongoing emergency preparedness efforts

     

     

    Contact us

    Contact