Strengthening school emergency abilities is the subject of a new $281,000 grant given to Snoqualmie Valley School District by the United States Department of Education.

The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools, or REMS, grant will provide resources over the next two years to build the district’s emergency capabilities.

The district intends to refine and implement a comprehensive and sustainable safe schools program with the funds. The program will address all phases of crisis planning: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Resources allow the district to thoroughly assess and build on current systems, developing best practices that can be sustained after the grant funding is gone, Superintendent Joel Aune said.

Staff and students will receive training and practice drills, and the district will develop protocols for emergency response communication and student reunification measures.

Also, the district will partner with other community organizations and emergency services to ensure a consistent approach in its crisis response.

Only three REMS grants were awarded in Washington State this year. The REMS grant process includes an assessment of current emergency procedures in every school and across the district, to help identify what is working well and what might be improved.

For more information, visit www.svsd410.org.