By MARK SILBERSTEIN

Imagine an airliner has just jetted off from T.F. Green airport. Suddenly, and with no warning, the plane plunges to the ground, smashing into Pilgrim High School a short distance away.

The staff rallies to help trapped students as Warwick's first responders race to the scene. With a computer, administrators launch a message within minutes to parents, advising them a major incident has occurred and emergency crews were on the way.

While it's one of many worst-case scenarios, school officials are hoping it doesn't happen. But that and any number of minor, or major, emergencies could beset one or more of the city's 27 schools and a federal grant aimed at preparing staff for such an eventuality was heralded Tuesday as a "momentous" occasion.

The $251,042 from the U.S. Department of Education — the second largest grant ever awarded the Warwick Schools — was heartily welcomed by Superintendent Robert Shapiro, who praised the work of grant coordinator Stephen Lowery for securing the money. The largest grant was $350,000 received in 2004 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to convert school busses to run on bio-diesel.

"Everyone will know what we're doing and where we're going in the event of tragedy," said Shapiro at a press conference Tuesday, explaining approximately $80,000 of the new grant will purchase software able to transmit messages to 20,000 or more parents — most or all by e-mail.

Shapiro said that 10 schools are close to T.F. Green, which is the primary reason for seeking the grant. As a condition of the funding, the city's private and parochial schools must be invited to participate in any such plan.

Shapiro said the task ahead is significant. The grant expires in March 2007 and a part-time employee or consultant will be hired to coordinate planning with the city's emergency management. Lowery said the position would be paid with $50,000 from the same federal funds.

All of the School Committee was on hand for the details except Dr. John Thompson.

Members of the Warwick Police command staff, including Chief Stephen McCartney where there. No one from the fire department attended the press conference at school headquarters but Shapiro acknowledged Chief Jack Chartier, Mayor Scott Avedisian, employees at the Kent Center and the Rhode Island Department of Homeland Security for their assistance helping the district apply for the money.

"We're excited," Shapiro said. "It's a great day for all of us in Warwick."

Lower said existing emergency response plans were outdated and didn't adequately address the needs of a post 9/11 world.

Lowery said those who contributed to the grant submission had a narrow window of time before the deadline earlier this year and were competing with nearly 400 districts for funding. Warwick was one of 93 communities to get it.

Training will be designed for school staff most likely to be "first responders," emphasizing the term did not mean they would necessarily perform the same procedures as rescue personnel. Participation will be on a voluntary basis.

"Our present plans don't cover recovery — what to do after the event," said Lowery. He noted the new technology and plans could also be used for natural events like snowstorms, to alert parents that school would close early and to pick up the children.

Lowery said it would ease the anxiety of families by quickly telling them what happened, what they are doing about it and what's the best thing to do. Lowery said paternal instinct is to run to the scene but increased numbers of people could add to the chaos and wouldn't be helpful to emergency personnel.

Shapiro used the example of the murders at Columbine High School in Colorado where communication with parents was non-existent as the tragedy initially unfolded and parents started coming on the scene before it was resolved.

"That kind of a situation needs to be avoided," said Shapiro, remarking that a standing committee would be established to address crisis management and advise schools on the best use of federal funds to remain in step with technological advances.

"We could have the best laid plans, but we have to make sure the person executing those plans knows what to do," he said.