Smart Tools

Does Your School Have a Disaster Plan?

Has your public high school ever been on the losing side in the battle against natural calamities like typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides? If yes, don't fret because there are things that can be done to emerge triumphant when the next disaster strikes.

After all, even schools in the United States have experienced Hurricane Andrew, a Northridge Earthquake, a Red River flood. Their students were left anxious, uprooted and relocated, interrupting their education, just as your students might have been. Natural calamities can hit anyone, any time. The key is to be prepared.

What are the things that are needed to be done to prepare your school for disasters?

  • School officials should identify the hazards that can most likely occur to the school.
  • Find out the capabilities of your school structures.
  • Assess your buildings, fire escapes, and disaster-preparedness plan.
  • If you do not have a disaster-preparedness plan, make one based on your study of possible disasters, and don't forget to include an evacuation route and a coping plan for disaster. Take into account all details, including drill implementation and family education.

To have a clearer idea on how a disaster-preparedness plan looks like, here is an outline:

  1. Building information - should take into account a neighborhood map with streets and intersections near the school, entries to the campus, location of major utility lines and potential off-campus evacuation sites; if possible, should also have aerial and ground-level photos of the campus featuring significant buildings in the campus, site features and color-coded school floor plans; law enforcement and emergency personnel staging area, and parent staging area for picking up the students; and, at least two alternative evacuation routes and sites
  2. Fire alarm procedures - administrative staff should know how to turn on and turn off the fire alarm and sprinklers
  3. Utility shut down procedures - administrative staff should also know how to shut down the main gas, electric and water lines
  4. First aid supplies - school floor plans should include the location of first aid supplies
  5. Emergency responders - the names and phone numbers of people who can respond to emergencies should also be provided. This includes the public information officer, first aid director, student assembly and release directors, grounds and maintenance staff, food and supplies coordinator, among others. You can find out among your school staff members who have experience related to first aid, bilingual capabilities, grief counseling, search and rescue training or volunteer firefighting.

Moreover, a list of outside individuals and organizations that can help in cases of emergency and their contact numbers should be included in the disaster-preparedness plan. Parent volunteerism should also be maximized.

For more information, check out the following links:

An Investigation of Best Practices for Evacuating and Sheltering Individuals with Special Needs and Disabilities. (National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, Washington, DC , Jan 2008)
- reviews current practices in school building design in relation to school disaster-preparedness plans involving students with special needs

Mitigating Hazards in School Facilities (National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, Washington, DC , 2008)
- tells you how you can assess the safety and security of school buildings and grounds

NCEF School Safety Assessment Guides (National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, Washington, DC , 2008)
- has downloadable guides on how to address areas in the school, with yes or no questions on the safety of the school's physical features

Fact Sheet: Creating a Culture of Preparedness Among Schools. (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C. , Oct 2007)

Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools. (U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics , Sep 2007)

Disaster Planning, Management, and Recovery Guide. (Council of Educational Facility Planners,International, Scottsdale, AZ, 2007)

Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities. (U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Washington, D.C. , Jan 2007)

Crisis Response Box: A Guide to Help Every School Assemble the Tools and Resources Needed for a Critical Incident Response. [California] (California Attorney General's Crime and Violence Prevention Center; California Department of Education's Safe Schools and Violence Prevention Office, 2006)
- contains crucial information needed in any crisis response box

Safer Schools and Hospitals Toolkit (Intelligent Space Partnership and Home Office, London, UK, Apr 2005)
- a British toolkit with an easy-to-use template for risk assessment in schools

How Schools Can Become More Disaster Resistant. Resources for Parents and Teachers. (Federal Emergency Management Agency , 2005)

Sources:

“How Schools Can Become More Disaster Resistant.” Retrieved April 30, 2008 from http://www.fema.gov/kids/schdizr.htm
“Emergency Response Information for School Facilities.”  Retrieved April 30, 2008  from
http://www.ncef.org/pubs/emergency_response.pdf
“Resource List.”  Retrieved April 30, 2008  from http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/disaster.cfm

(Published 05 May 2008, Smart Schools Program)