School Safety and Disaster

Management

Dr W G Prasanna KumarProfessor, Climate and Disaster Management

Dr MCR HRD Institute

School Safety

School safety is essential because:• Children are the future generation• Children can carry information to the society• Schools are key factor to build a culture of

disaster prevention• School is the centre of community activities

SCHOOL SAFETY

• Raising disaster awareness• Hazard, vulnerability and risk analysis• Structural and non-structural safety• Facilities and Resource Mapping• Constitution and training of School Disaster• Management Committee and Task Forces• Alert mechanisms• School maps, evacuation plans and calendar of preparedness activities• Mock drills• Psycho-social support for children during disaster• Consideration of disability and gender-based needs• Periodical review and disaster risk audit of School Disaster

Management Plan

SCHOOL SAFETY: SALIENT FEATURES

• What actions or activities need to occur following an emergency

• When plan will be activated• Where teacher and staff should report• Why these actions are necessary to ensure safety

of students, staffs and teachers• How response will be managed during an

emergency• Who will carry out specific responsibilities

EMERGENCY CRISIS RESPONSEPLAN THAT IDENTIFIES

• Two pairs of disposable gloves• Sterile dressings to stop bleeding• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect• Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection• Burn ointment• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant• Scissors• Over-the-counter medicines such as Aspirin or other pain reliever, laxative, anti-

diarrhea medication• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine, or

asthma inhaler• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose monitoring equipment or blood

pressure monitors

KEEP EMERGENCY KIT READY

• Entrances and exits• Visitor check-in point• Emergency assembly area• Gas line and Electricity shut off location (s)• Water shut off location (s)• Building evacuation routes• Building dangers• Overhead dangers• Hazardous materials locations• First Aid staging area• Individuals with disabilities and young children• Response provisions on-site

MARK ON THE SCHOOL MAP

SCHOOL DISASTER SAFETY TEAMS

• Emergency evacuation routes• Emergency vehicle routes• Alternate assembly area, shelters, and safe havens• Health facilities• Fire station• Hazardous materials sites• Tools (e.g., generator)• Transportation resources• Vulnerable populations (elderly, young children)• Vulnerable building, roads, and facilities• Resource people for response and recovery

MARK ON NEIGHBOURHOOD MAP

Do check that:• All classroom doors, doors of high-occupancy rooms, and doors to outside open outwards• Exit pathways are kept clear• Non-structural building elements are securely fastened to the building to resist wind or earthquake shaking• Fire suppression equipment is located appropriately and maintained in good working condition • Flammable and combustible materials are limited, isolated, eliminated, and separated, away from dangerous interactions and heat sources• Electrical systems are maintained and are not overloaded

NON-STRUCTURAL SAFETY IN SCHOOL

• Plan out a method to check up on each other's safety when you happen to be at different places when a disaster strikes.

• If a disaster strikes when you are separated from the rest of your family, secure your own safety first, then check on the safety of your family.

• Communication methods are limited in a quake-stricken area. Learn how to use these services now, before a disaster strikes.

COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER

Supreme Court Verdict • Supreme Court have directed all the States and Union Territories

to implement the safety measures prescribed by the national Building Code of India, 2005 in all government and private schools. “Children cannot be compelled to receive education in an unsound and unsafe building”.

• Court issued a comprehensive time-bound plan to ensure safety of children in schools

a) Fire Safety Measures in Schools b) Training of School Teachers and other Staffsc) School Building Specifications d) Clearances & Certificates

a) All existing government and private schools shall install fire extinguishing equipment.b) School buildings to be kept free from inflammable and toxic material. Store inevitable material safely.c) Evaluate school structural aspects periodically. Engineers and officials must strictly follow National Building Code. Safety certificate to be issued only after proper inspection. Disciplinary action for dereliction in duty of officials.d) Necessary training be imparted to staff and other officials of school to use fire extinguishing equipment.

Supreme Court Verdict

• Seismic zone• Flood and cyclone prone• Heat and Cold wave prone• Drought prone• Chemical accident prone• Electrical accident prone• Fire accident prone

Check if your area is Disaster Prone

School Safety Initiative

Safe Infrastructure Capacity Building

Structural Safety

Planning & Implementation

Education & Awareness

Training & Development

Non-structural Mitigation

The Approach

1. Coordination2. Awareness Generation 3. Rescue and Evacuation 4. Site Safety5. First Aid6. Warming and Information7. Bus Safety8. Water and Food Arrangement9. Fire Safety

CommitteesSchool Disaster Management Teams

1. Are the electrical fitments in classrooms and corridor working properly?2. Switch Board/main switches working properly, are switch board covered and cautioned?3. Whether Water Coolers and other electrical gadgets checked for transferring shock? If yes than remedial measures taken or not?4. Any case of electric shock or problem of any type encountered by staff/student?5. Any Sparks or Short circuit occurred in past one week?6. Are the corridors and staircases clear of obstruction?7. Classroom door and emergency doors clear of obstruction?8. Floor evacuation plan displayed properly or not?9. Fire extinguishers are in place or not?10. Any high voltage wire there around?11. Water quality from the filter is proper?

Checklist for School Safety

12. Has toilet cleanliness maintained?13. Whether ceiling tiles or plaster hanging from the wall/roof?14. Is there any dampness in wall?15. Cross ventilation in classrooms and library maintained or not?16. Are rooms properly illuminated with lighting?17. Are students/staff with contiguous disease/infection, attending the school? If yes, the details to be provided.18. Any Problem in chemical labs? Whether chemicals placed properly, ventilated and exhaust working?19. Is lightening conductor in place and working properly? (Specially prior to and during Rainy Season)20. Is First Aid kit in place?21. Any suggestions from students/staff for upgrading floor safety?22. Any stranger seen with suspicious behavior in school?

Checklist for School Safety

Step 1. Identification of schools and inviting them to participate.Step 2. Orientation of school management, teachers and students; and• Rapid Visual Survey of the School premises and building to assess vulnerability.Step3. School Safety Planning with school management, teachers and students• representatives.Step 4. Awareness and Training of all students about –• a. Disasters;• b. Drop, Cover & Hold Exercise• c. Fire Safety, Search & Rescue and First Aid TrainingStep 5. Mock Earthquake and Fire Safety drills• Non structural safety measures.‐Step 6. Promotion of Culture of Safety in Schools.• Interactions within schools on disaster management.• Initiate safety practices through school newsletter, debates, quizzes, etc.

Steps for School Safety Programme

DM ACT 2005 INSTITUTIONAL SET UP