Why Emergency Kits for Schools Are a Must-Have, Not a Nice-to-Have

On August 22, 2019, Jefferson County Public Schools in Colorado issued a new piece of emergency equipment to classrooms: a five-gallon bucket. Inside? Kitty litter, sanitation supplies, emergency food, and other basic necessities. It wasn’t a stunt. The district had experienced extended lockdowns in the past where students had no access to bathrooms — trash cans became the uncomfortable substitute. The so-called “go buckets” were a practical solution to a very real problem: how do we care for students during prolonged emergency situations?

Unfortunately, this scenario isn’t rare. Across the U.S., schools are increasingly forced to confront crises that demand more than a checklist. From active shooter events and lockdowns to natural disasters and power outages, emergency preparedness is about more than knowing what to do — it’s about having the right emergency supplies on hand to actually do it.

That’s where emergency kits for schools come in. Also known as go buckets, lockdown kits, or preparedness kits, these are not just containers of stuff. They are essential tools that can help maintain safety, support student well-being, and buy precious time until help arrives.

What Is an Emergency Kit & Why Should Every School Have One?

An emergency kit for schools is a collection of supplies designed to support students and staff during an extended emergency. That emergency might be a lockdown during an active shooter threat. It could be a shelter-in-place order during a natural disaster. Or it could be a medical emergency that delays evacuation or access to services.

Whatever the situation, the purpose is the same: to give staff and students what they need to stay safe, calm, and cared for until it’s safe to move.

And these kits shouldn’t only live in classrooms. Office staff, nurses, administrators, and even buses or field trip groups need access to emergency preparedness tools. Because emergencies don’t wait for ideal locations — they happen wherever people are.

Emergencies Aren’t Theoretical—They’re Inevitable

Every school will face some kind of crisis. It might not be headline-grabbing violence, but it could be a severe storm that knocks out power, a medical issue that locks down a hallway, or a structural concern that prevents students from safely exiting a building.

These situations often unfold quickly and unpredictably. And when they do, there’s no time to run to the front office or dig through storage closets. If you’re not prepared ahead of time, the consequences can range from uncomfortable to catastrophic — from panicked students to preventable injuries or even legal liability.

Having well-placed, well-stocked emergency kits is a proactive way to reduce that risk. They provide a lifeline for safety, continuity, and calm under pressure.

What Should Be in a School Emergency Kit?

There’s no universal checklist, but there are some categories of supplies that every school should consider— all of which are reflected in ALICE’s Go Bucket – Lockdown Kit & Trauma Kit.

• Start with first aid and trauma care. That includes: gloves, antiseptics, gauze, tourniquets, and wound sealants. In the unfortunate event of injuries during an incident, these tools help staff provide immediate care before first responders arrive. And in scenarios where responders can’t enter the building—as often happens in active shooter situations— trauma supplies can save lives.
• Food and water are also crucial. ALICE kits include high-calorie food bars and enough water pouches to last during a multi-hour lockdown. These may seem like minor details—until you consider what it means to have a classroom of young children without access to food or hydration for hours.
• Next come communication and light. A battery-powered radio, flashlights, light sticks, and a whistle ensure that staff can receive updates, signal for help, or maintain visibility in the dark. Losing power during a storm or lockdown is not just inconvenient — it’s dangerous without backup lighting.
• Equally important are sanitation and hygiene items. This is where schools often fall short. Consider this: if students can’t leave the room for 3–4 hours, how do they use the bathroom? Kits like ALICE’s include a toilet seat/lid, sanitation bags, toilet paper, gloves, and even chemical pouches to neutralize waste. These supplies do more than address basic needs — they preserve dignity and prevent situations that can traumatize students further.

Other essential items include emergency blankets for warmth, duct tape and tarps for shelter or sealing off areas, and basic tools for unforeseen needs. And don’t forget documentation: student rosters, parent contact info, emergency procedures, and room maps help ensure nothing slips through the cracks in the heat of the moment.

While many schools build their own kits, ALICE’s combined Go Bucket and Trauma Kit is designed to take the guesswork out of the process — offering a complete, ready-to-deploy solution.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Customizing for Your School’s Needs

No two schools are alike—and neither are their emergency risks. A rural elementary school in tornado country will need different items than an urban high school with multiple floors and thousands of students.

Start by assessing your population: How many students are in each classroom? What special medical needs exist? Are there students with disabilities who need additional support during emergencies?

Think about geography and environment: Will you need extra water during hot months? Are heavy blankets necessary in cold climates? How far are you from emergency services?

Don’t forget about field trips, athletics, or afterschool programs. Emergencies can happen off campus too, and staff need to be equipped to respond no matter where students are.

Involve your safety team and school nurse in customizing kits. A thoughtful approach today can make all the difference tomorrow.

Placement, Maintenance, & Accessibility Matter

Even the most comprehensive kit is useless if no one can get to it. Every classroom should have an accessible kit — stored in a clearly labeled location that staff and substitutes know about. Additional kits should be placed in high-traffic areas like offices, cafeterias, gyms, and buses.

It’s also essential to assign responsibility for kit maintenance. Batteries expire. Water pouches degrade. Food spoils. Have a process to regularly inspect, replenish, and replace supplies. Tie it to your existing safety routines—maybe the same time you check fire extinguishers or conduct drills.

And speaking of drills — integrate your kits into your safety exercises. Practice not just lockdowns, but how you’d use the items in the kit. Knowing what’s inside and when to use it builds muscle memory and reduces fear during the real thing.

Funding Emergency Kits: You Have Options

Cost can be a barrier, but there are smart ways to manage budgets and even secure outside funding.

Some schools choose to build their own kits using supply lists and bulk purchasing. This can be cost-effective, but requires time, effort, and a good understanding of what’s needed.

Others purchase pre-assembled kits, like those offered by ALICE. These typically come with higher upfront costs but include expert-vetted supplies, longer-lasting materials, and easy deployment.

To fund either route, schools have tapped into:

• Federal grants (like STOP School Violence, SVPP, or DHS grants)
• State safety initiatives
• District budgets earmarked for safety or facilities
• PTA or parent group fundraising
• Local business sponsorships
• Education foundations and community safety grants

For ideas, visit SchoolSafety.gov’s Grant Finder Tool, or check with your local REMS Center for planning resources and templates.

Common Pitfalls (& How to Avoid Them)

Many schools set out with good intentions but fall into predictable traps. Some understock their kits, leaving out key medical or sanitation items. Others place them in locked closets or out-of-reach areas. In some cases, staff aren’t even aware the kits exist — or what’s inside them.

Perhaps most often, schools fail to integrate their kits into their emergency plans. The kits become symbolic gestures rather than functional tools.

Avoiding these mistakes starts with treating emergency kits as part of your school culture — not a one-time purchase. Regular training, restocking, and review are just as important as the supplies themselves.