Wyoming school emergency plan rule

Does Wyoming require school emergency plans?

Through agency rules. Wyoming's school accreditation rules (State Board Chapter 6), whose criteria are framed as requirements for districts and their schools, say every school's strategies for students' physical safety are defined in a district crisis management plan. One of those accreditation criteria is that the district has a plan for promoting positive school culture and learning environments that are safe and orderly. The Chapter 6 rule is listed on the Secretary of State's rules database as in force from July 15, 2021 to the present. Separately, under the Chapter 18 rule, a licensed private non-religious school's educational program must be covered by an Emergency Operating Plan.

What must the plan contain?

Chapter 6, Section 5(n)(ii) says only that schools' physical safety strategies are defined in a district crisis management plan; it does not say who adopts or approves the plan. State Department of Education (WDE) guidance suggests plans cover evacuation, shelter-in-place, communication and reunification protocols; this is guidance, not a rule. WDE guidance asks planners to consider how hazards affect students and staff with access and functional needs. WDE guidance says the plan should go to district leadership and the board of trustees for approval.

What does the fire code add?

Wyoming's Council on Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety adopts the 2024 International Fire Code (IFC), with Appendices D, E, F and G, by reference in its Chapter 1 rule, effective June 26, 2024. Under the 2024 IFC, which that rule adopts, an approved fire safety and evacuation plan must be prepared and maintained for Group E (school) occupancies.

A lockdown plan is allowed only if the fire code official approves it and it meets the code's lockdown plan rules.

How often is the plan reviewed?

Under the 2024 IFC, fire safety, evacuation and lockdown plans must be reviewed or updated every year and whenever staff assignments, occupancy or the building layout change. WDE guidance recommends regular review and updating of the crisis management plan, with no fixed interval.

Is the plan submitted or checked?

Each year by November 1, the district superintendent must attest in an accreditation report that the district and all its schools meet the accreditation criteria. WDE guidance says the crisis management plan is checked through the assurances districts submit each year by November 1, and calls the plan a key part of accreditation. The Department verifies district compliance each year by reviewing documents, data and other evidence. Under the 2024 IFC, the fire safety and evacuation plans must be available to employees, and copies must be given to the fire code official for review on request.

Are there penalties?

Findings of noncompliance are reviewed with superintendents by March 1, and districts have until May 1 to address them. A district that misses the annual evidence requirement at 80% or higher and does not fix it during the grace period is rated Accredited with Follow-up. The State Board and State Superintendent may take administrative action against a district or school for non-accreditation.

How do schools work with first responders?

WDE guidance recommends a planning team that includes local emergency managers and response agencies. Under the 2024 IFC, the plans must cover reporting emergencies to the fire department, and lockdown plans need the fire code official's approval.

What training is tied to the plan?

Under the 2024 IFC, where a plan is required, employees must be trained on it at orientation and at least once a year, with records kept. WDE guidance recommends regular emergency response training for staff, students and local stakeholders.

Is the plan confidential?

Wyoming's Public Records Act lets a records custodian deny inspection of emergency or security procedures in plans that respond to security threats.

Who is covered?

The Chapter 6 accreditation criteria apply to Wyoming districts and their schools. The Chapter 18 private school rules do not apply to parochial, church or religious schools. The Chapter 18 rule is listed on the Secretary of State's rules database as in force from June 11, 2013 to the present. A charter school application must include the school's procedure for ensuring the health and safety of students and staff.

What changed recently?

2026 HB0105, which was enacted, appropriated money for security vestibules, vehicle barricades and prioritized district safety and security fixes. 2026 HB0115 would have required districts to develop cardiac emergency response plans; it died when the House did not consider it in Committee of the Whole. 2025 HB0031 would have made a district's safety and security policies and their drafts confidential and not public records; it died when the Senate did not consider it in Committee of the Whole.