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Disaster preparedness
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  • Post published:Mar 5, 2020
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Importance of disaster preparedness in schools

Several natural calamities and emergencies can take place unpredictably. Being prepared at all times can significantly reduce the ill-effects caused due to these disasters. Everybody should have basic knowledge about the various types of accident and disaster preparedness. Essential training to handle certain situations should also be furnished through regular drills and practice. The education program in the Indian schools should include disaster management as a critical part of the curriculum.

Many disasters can take place uncalled while other’s can are predictable through assessments. The first step towards analysing the possibility of a failure in an area should be the scrutiny of the place, by tracking the records and evaluations of the various fiasco causing elements. The geographical location, terrain and the climatic conditions of the site play a significant part in the influence of a catastrophe in an area. The schools especially need to establish practical measures in over-coming the calamities as they generally contains a large group of people. Students, teachers, administration, faculties and parents should acquire a coordinative approach and work together in facing all the problems. Here are a few common emergencies that should be looked out for and managed by the schools:-

  • Fire Breakouts
  • Extreme heat or extreme cold
  • Storms and Tornadoes
  • Landslides
  • Earthquakes
  • Terror attacks
  • Wild-animals attacks

PREPAREDNESS FOR THE MAJOR DISASTERS

1- EARTHQUAKES

Earthquakes are one of the most common forms of disasters that can strike without prior warning signs. Hence, it is vital to take precautionary measures to diminish the effects of earthquakes in schools. Here are a few things that are helpful to manage and mollify the consequences:-

1- WARNINGS AND ALARMS

There are no such systems that can predict the intensity and possibility of an earthquake in an area, but the information can be provided soon after they hit. This information is sent out in the form of alarms, messages and announcements in televisions, radios etc.

2- CONSTRUCTION

The school buildings should be constructed by keeping all the mitigatory earthquake measures in perspective. Regular up-gradation of the affected and weak areas should be practised and also the various technologies should be installed in the classrooms, corridors and other rooms of the school building.

3- TRAINING AND AWARENESS

Earthquake drills should be conducted regularly in the schools, and every student and faculty must be made familiar with the procedure of evacuation procedure through practice. Here are a few necessary tips that should be followed when the earthquake disaster hits a place:-

  • Hide under a piece of sturdy furniture and hold on to it firmly. Do this only when you are very far away from the exit.
  • Try to evacuate the school building primarily and as soon as the vibrations are felt. Use the emergency exit and follow the instructions as per the drill.
  • Furniture should be installed securely along the walls so that they do not fall an cause any kinds of road-blocks.

4- EXTRA-SUPPLIES IN SEVERE CASES

Sometimes the damage is intense. The rescue teams may take sometimes hours or days to come and provide help. In such cases, it is always better to keep a tool-kit ready with all the essential supplies that can last a few days. These tool kits should be easily trackable and should contain food items, water supplies, torch, lights and first-aid appliances.

2- FIRE BREAKOUTS

Fire breakouts are some of the frequent disasters that take place in the buildings of schools, hostels etc. Schools should ensure the installation of secure fire warning systems. Smoke detectors, rising temperature sensors and warning alarms should be installed in all the significant places. The wires and other fire-prone or causing substances should be kept secured with proper insulation. Here are a few other tips the can be followed:-

 1- TRAINING AND AWARENESS

Fire drills should be practised regularly, and every member of the school should be made aware of all the places, entries and exits in the building. A corporation needs to be established, and all the students, teachers and faculties should be made aware of the instructions that need to be followed at the time of the emergency.

 2- SAFETY MEASURES

Fire extinguishers, water sprinklers, alarms and smoke detectors should be present in all the significant places of the building. Blueprints and maps of the floor area, rooms, entries, exits and also the fire-exits should be laminated and put up in the various places.

3- IMMEDIATE AND QUICK ACTIONS

Immediately contact and aware of the concerned authorities. Students can inform their parents, and the parents can take prompt action and send the required help.

IMPORTANT COMMON ACTIONS

There are a few things that apply to every emergency. Here are a few standard disaster preparedness that can help one in effectively handling any crisis:-

  • Be aware and alert at all times and do not panic.
  • Know all the types of disasters and act accordingly.
  • Coordinate with other people and encourage.
  • Be quick and energetic.

Some calamities are inevitable and not in the human power to abort. Hence, precautionary measures are always helpful in creating a safer environment and a secured lifestyle.

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