Each year in schools across the United States, more than three million crimes are committed, over nine thousand fires break out, and hundreds of thousands of students are injured. To address issues of school safety and violence prevention, the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act (SAVE) became New York State law in July 2000.

Project SAVE is a comprehensive planning effort that addresses prevention, response, and recovery with respect to a variety of emergencies in each school district and its schools. The required safety plans mandated by this legislation - coupled with a 2001 amendment to Education Law requiring every public and non-public school statewide to submit copies of school building plans and specifications to their respective local law and fire enforcement agencies - facilitates the coordination of the district with local emergency response teams.

Creating and maintaining safe learning environments is everybody's business. JMOA joins the New York State Education Department in their commitment to promoting safe and healthy learning environments where students are secure in their pursuit of educational success. To assist school districts, JMOA will electronically map school sites. Areas of potential emergencies in and around each school building will be identified and located. The locations of all exits, hazard areas, chemical storage, confined spaces, science labs, utility and remote shut off for electric, gas, kitchens, labs, etc., fire alarm and annunciator panels, fire protection systems, sprinkler systems, fire hydrant locations, underground utilities pipelines and storage tanks will be placed on building maps. Maps will be provided to district personnel and local police, fire, and EMS officials in hard copy and electronic format.

While no single measure can guarantee absolute safety, immediate access to Project SAVE school building plans and specifications, and district-wide and individual school safety plans can strengthen a community's capacities for responding to emergencies that could affect the health and safety of children.