The Hindu 15.10.2010
“Schools must have safety plan for evacuation in the event of disaster”
Staff Reporter
MADURAI: Formation of early warning teams comprising teachers and students has been proposed at schools. This was revealed at a training programme on disaster management for teachers of Corporation schools held here on Wednesday.
Suresh, independent consultant, Risk Reduction Programme — jointly implemented by the Central government and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) — said that such teams could help in swifter evacuation of children at times of disaster.
The School Safety Programme has suggested each school to prepare a school safety plan with details of classrooms, number of teachers and students, including the differently-abled, entrances and exits.
Identify hazards
Dr. Parivelan, another consultant, said that the schools should survey the potential hazards inside and outside the school premises and take precautionary steps to prevent any untoward incident.
The experts asked the teachers to identify the hazards and make safety assessment with a historical profile for at least 20 years.
Laboratories, school kitchen, electric poles, wires, generator room, narrow passages and dilapidated buildings were some of the potential hazards.
Besides, they should identify a safe place to move the children after evacuation.
The teachers and students should have a minimum knowledge of first-aid, rescue and evacuation.
The schools should have fire extinguishers, ladders, ropes and first-aid box.
They must conduct periodic drills to test their preparedness and improve life-saving skills.
Corporation Deputy Commissioner K. Tharpagaraj asked the teachers to make the best use of the training programme.
