Buhler USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman has provided a summary , thank You , and next steps following the Plum Creek Elementary School evacuation Thursday afternoon.
In her summary of the evacuation, Couchman said she was notified at 1:15 p.m. that there was a fire in the north part of the Buhler district. After receiving word from the Hutchinson Fire Department at 1:30, she notified Cassi Deister, transportation director, to ready all drivers and get them to buses in case of an evacuation.
Couchman then notified The Crusader Corner Daycare Director, Heather Faulkner, and Plum Creek Elementary principal, Tammi Graff to start mentally preparing for an evacuation.
“We made contact with two evacuation sites, Inspire Church and Crosspoint Church, to verify we could use their facilities,” Couchman stated. “Both were amazing and said yes to our request right away.”
At 1:45, Couchman made the decision to evacuate both facilities. Originally her plan was to send students and staff to Inspire Church. But then she heard that 43rd street would be closing, which is the road parents normally go down for pick up. The plan then immediately shifted to Crosspoint Church.
Paul Erickson took charge helping with logistics at the church and Kyle McLure helped get students safely out of the building.
By 2 p.m., the students were out of the building on the way to Crosspoint. All students arrived before 2:15 and were safely and calmly escorted into the sanctuary.
“Our bus drivers are THE BEST in the business. Responsive, professional, and ready to help,” Couchman wrote.
Couchman thanked the USD 313 administration, Tammi Graff and Sierra Michelstetter, for their response to the situation, stating they led the students and staff with calm grace and patience. “Our support staff stepped right up to help parents pick up students in an organized manner and verify students were leaving with appropriate guardians.”
Melissa Ratzlaff, Joyce Raya, Jessica Koster, and Brenda Smith were also thanked for moving the lines along and checking students out.
“Our staff were amazing with keeping students calm and reassuring any who were upset. Knowing students often mirror the emotions of the adults, everyone stayed confident, calm, and showed great patience as we navigated a new process with little time to prepare,” Couchman noted.
Couchman also thanked parents and guardians for following directions, remaining calm, showing up in timely manner and not escalating the situation. All students were picked up by 3:15 p.m. “Better Together never felt more real than today,” Couchman added.
Lastly, Couchman gave a special shoutout to The Hutchinson Fire Department, Operations Chief Jeremy Unruh, and Emergency Management Director, Adam Weishaar, for the dedication to the community, keeping everyone safe, protecting property and for their communication through it all.
At 7:30 a.m. Friday morning, Couchman and Mrs. Graff will be meeting with the PCE staff to reflect on what went right and what needs improvement in future situations. The student body will be addressed at 8 a.m. by Couchman and Mrs. Graff to affirm students for staying positive, their willingness to follow directions, and for their behavior.
At 9 a.m., the Buhler district administration team will meet to review everything that happened on the back side and front facing side so they can learn from each other.
At 11 a.m., Couchman and Cassi Deister will meet with the bus drivers to thank them and learn from their perspective what went right and what needs attention in the future.
“Cassi was incredible and was able to adjust to changing routes, cancelling routes, and communicating with drivers all afternoon,” Couchman noted. “Not many people understand the critical role the director and drivers play in a crisis and I am blessed to work alongside them.”
Couchman concluded her message wishing everyone a safe, healthy and blessed Christmas and requested thoughts and prayers for those affected by the fire.
