School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan

School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan : 

School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan Suvajit Singha Disaster Management Officer Directorate of Disaster Management, W.B.

What is a SAFE School?: 

What is a SAFE School? A school which is located in a hazard free area, or one that has been constructed to withstand the hazard to which it is exposed. A safe school will not collapse or get tremendously affected during a disaster.

“Safety in School”: : 

“Safety in School”: It would entail BOTH Structural Safety Non-structural Safety Land Use Planning School Safety Concerns Preparedness Plans Analysis of Risks and Hazards Register of Resources Health safety Psycho – social safety Placement of equipments in schools including fire extinguishers etc.

Why Preparedness & Response Plan ?: 

Why Preparedness & Response Plan ? To ensure safety of students and staff during emergencies.

Why Preparedness & Response Plan ?: 

Why Preparedness & Response Plan ? A School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan (or the Plan) consists of policies and procedures developed to promote the safety and welfare of students, protect school property, or regulate the operation of schools in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Characteristics of a School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan :: 

Characteristics of a School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan : The Plan should provide specific directions for immediate action, yet flexible . The Plan must be reviewed and kept updated. The Plan should consist of simple step-by-step procedures that are clear and easy to implement.

Characteristics of a School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan :: 

Characteristics of a School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan : The Plan should assign a standard procedure for a particular emergency response. The Plan should have specific instructions for backup ,with a clear chain of command (for instance, if the principal or emergency committee head is absent, then the next person in-charge should be identified).

Characteristics of a School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan :: 

Characteristics of a School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan : A school evacuation plan and map. List of school buildings. Emergency Preparedness Plan orientation and drills. Procedures for informing parents and guardians during school emergency situations

Components of a School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan :: 

Components of a School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan : Complete contact information of all members of the school emergency and disaster preparedness committee. Telephone numbers of emergency and support agencies. Maps and floor plans. Emergency warning system.

Components of a School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan :: 

Components of a School Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan : A school property inventory. Alternate warning system. Contingency plan for continuity of student learning .

Who will Make the Plan?: 

Who will Make the Plan? School Administration in association with; Teachers Students Parents District Administration & Local Administration Police Fire Services Nearby Industrial Authorities NGOs / CBOs / Nagarik Committes

School Disaster Management Plan (Response): 

School Disaster Management Plan (Response) Step 1: Sensitisation meeting for awareness amongst Teachers/School Management Step 2: Formation of the School Disaster Management Committee Step 3: Hazard Identification and Safety Assessment Step 4: Preparation of School Disaster Management Plan Document Step 5: Formation and Training of Disaster Management Teams Step 6: Dissemination of the plan to everybody in the school Step 7: Conduct regular mock drills Step 8: Evaluation and Updating of the Plan to improve effectiveness and reporting to coordination group

PowerPoint Presentation: 

A committee is at a better position to take important decisions SUGGESTED MEMBERS Principal Chairman – Management Committee Vice-principal Two students Parents A Doctor An NGO Members of Civil Defence Formation of Committee

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Hazard Identification and Safety Assessment Preparation of a CHECKLIST (indicators) on the basis of which actions can be planned in the future to make the school environment safer. SUGGESTED POINTS ON WHICH SCHOOL CAN BE EXAMINED Are the corridors and stairwells clear of obstruction Does the school have provision for emergency power back-up Are the fans and lights properly fixed to the ceiling, do any debris fall ? Do the doors of classes open outwards Does the school have minimum two exits Are all exits from the school clear Is there adequate arrangement for fire safety

Seismic Hazard Analysis & Reduction: 

Seismic Hazard Analysis & Reduction Learning from the past Structural Hazards (School Building / Water tank / Electric Installation / Windows / Basements etc.) Class Room Hazards (Heavy / loose / hanging objects / Chemical in laboratories / Aquarium etc.) Maintenance Hazards (unskilled maintenance of equipment / articles etc.) Neighbourhood Hazards (Gas stations)/ high-voltage power lines/ major traffic routes (e.g., freeways and railway lines)/ major oil and natural gas pipelines/ transformers and underground utility vaults/ multi-storey buildings vulnerable to collapse/ water towers/ landslide areas/ flooding from collapsed dams, or dykes)

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Plan Preparation – The Document COMPONENTS Demographic Details – Number of students, teachers, total rooms, type of structure , no. of Laboratories etc. Vulnerability map – Locating the identified areas where there is a danger / hazard Resource map – Locating the identified areas where school resources may be found Evacuation Route Map – mapping the safe exit routes from the school building

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Evacuation Route Map

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Formation and Training Teams SUGGESTED TEAMS Awareness and Information Dissemination Team Early Warning Team Evacuation Team Fire Safety Team First Aid Team Search and Rescue Team

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Dissemination of Plan to Everybody 4 SIMPLE STEPS Call a meeting and discuss the plan with all staff members Prepare Floor wise evacuation route maps Display the maps on every floor in the school Put up signs for exits on walls and roof etc Parents should be informed about the School DM Plan

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Conduct Regular Mock Drills Step I – Ringing of the alarm bell Step II- Drop Cover hold practice IV – Assembling at the designated place and teachers taking attendance Step V – Deploying the Search and Rescue Teams if someone is left trapped Step VI – Saving the trapped Step III – School Evacuation Step

Emergency Responsibilities of Stakeholders :: 

Emergency Responsibilities of Stakeholders :

Teachers and Administrative Staff : 

Teachers and Administrative Staff Participate in developing the plan & in service preparedness training programme . Receive Skill training. Train in First Aid. Provide continuous leadership training & bolster the confidence of the students. Be prepared to help the students & staff with special needs during emergency.

School Maintenance and Technical Staff :: 

School Maintenance and Technical Staff : Report structural defects and safety hazards to the school Disaster Management committee. Identify shut-off valves and switches for gas, oil, water, and electricity. Maintain an inventory of tools and equipment.

Parents and Guardians :: 

Parents and Guardians : Participate in the development and implementation of the Plan. Support emergency preparedness programs within the school. Volunteer services in school emergency preparedness planning and during actual emergencies. Encourage coordination among local officials, businesses and schools . Encourage students to discuss with their parents the emergency preparedness and response techniques learned at school.

Students :: 

Students : Cooperate during emergency drills and exercises. Learn to be responsible for themselves and others. Organize activities to promote safety awareness. Take care of younger children and assist classmates with certain disabilities. Prepare a first aid kit and learn first-aid procedures.