As the start of the 2025–2026 school year approaches, I’ve been reflecting on what schools experienced last year—how teams responded, what challenges emerged, and what it all means for the year ahead.
At Joffe Emergency Services, we’re fortunate to work alongside schools of all types across the country, giving us a front-row seat to the creativity, resilience, and adaptability of school communities.
That perspective comes with a responsibility—to notice the patterns, connect the dots, and help schools turn last year’s experiences into actionable lessons. Across the schools we worked with in 2024–2025, a few clear patterns emerged—recurring challenges and responses that can help shape stronger, more informed strategies for the year ahead.
Wildfires: Fast-Moving and High-Impact Events
One trend we saw repeatedly last year was the growing threat of wildfires, particularly in the West and parts of the South. These events are no longer confined to rural or remote areas—fires are moving faster, reaching schools and neighborhoods with little warning, and requiring immediate decisions around evacuations, closures, and emergency communication.
Wildfires also bring a number of logistical and emotional challenges:
Action Item: We recommend that schools in high-risk areas review and practice their evacuation and reunification protocols, ensuring that all staff are familiar with how to respond in real-time if a fire becomes a threat during the school day.
Air Quality: A Growing Barrier to Outdoor Learning and Health
Even when wildfires aren’t nearby, air quality continues to be a concern for schools across the country. Between wildfire smoke drifting hundreds of miles, seasonal allergens, and other pollutants, poor air quality is now disrupting outdoor learning, athletics, and recess more frequently than ever.
Last year, many schools had to make tough calls—canceling field days, limiting outdoor PE, or requiring indoor recess for days at a time. In some areas, students with asthma or other respiratory conditions experienced more frequent symptoms and health office visits.
Action Item: We recommend that schools have access to real-time air quality monitoring tools and clear guidelines for when to modify outdoor activities. Proactively sharing this information with families and staff can also help build trust and reduce confusion on high-alert days.
Increase in Physical Altercations—Including With Parents
We also saw an uptick in physical altercations—not just among students, but sometimes involving parents and adult visitors. These situations can be especially tough because they often catch staff off guard and escalate quickly.
Action Item: I recommend making sure your team has:
Adding adult-focused scenarios to your drills and tabletop exercises can help build confidence and clarity before an incident ever happens.
Social Media Threats and Misinformation
Another trend we saw frequently last year was the growing impact of social media–based threats and misinformation. Whether it was a vague threat post, a viral hoax, or false information spreading in the community, these incidents often caused real disruption, even when the threat wasn’t credible.
Action Item: Schools responded with increased digital monitoring, stronger law enforcement partnerships, and more proactive communication. If your school faced one of these situations last year, I recommend taking time now to review how your team responded, what worked well, and what could be improved.
A Gentle Reminder: Review Before You Rebuild
As we turn the page to a new year, now is a great time to pause and reflect. I always recommend that schools conduct a yearly incident review—a chance to look back at the types of concerns or emergencies that arose over the past year, and to ask:
These reflections don’t need to be overly formal, but they can be incredibly valuable, especially when used to shape professional development, tabletop scenarios, or updates to your emergency protocols.
Back-to-school is the right moment to set a new tone for safety—and to think not just about this month, but about where you want your program to be by the end of the year.
If you're looking for a place to start, we’re here. From communication templates to long-range planning support, Joffe offers tools and guidance to help you move forward with confidence.