Date:22/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082219690100.htm

Front Page

Disaster management plan for schools

K.V. Prasad

Coimbatore, Chennai chosen for the exercise, as they come under seismic zone-III

A month-long drive will be carried out in October
Each institution will have a School Safety Committee

Mock drills and surprise checks will be held regularly

COIMBATORE: Thirty schools in Coimbatore have been brought under a disaster management programme to prepare the teachers, students and the community around these institutions to minimise loss of lives and property in the event of earthquakes, fire or explosions.

A School Safety Plan will be drafted by each of these schools based on their requirements, says the Chief Education Office, P.A. Naresh. Coimbatore and Chennai have been chosen for this exercise as they come under seismic zone III (moderate quake zone - 5.5 on the Richter scale).

"We will have two forms of intervention - structural and non-structural. Structural intervention will focus on whether the buildings are stable or require retrofitting to withstand a quake," he says. The non-structural intervention includes awareness among teachers, students and the community on preparedness. A month-long drive will be carried out in October.

Each institution will have a School Safety Committee with the headmaster or headmistress heading it. A teacher will be the member-secretary and the student members will be drawn from the National Service Scheme or National Cadet Corps. Besides, members from the community nearby, Corporation engineers, fire service officials and disaster management experts can be included.

The aim is to equip them with the ability for the most appropriate and quick reaction. A table of command will be displayed in each school.

In the absence of the headmaster, the next in command in the committee will take charge in case of a disaster.

Important phone numbers, such as that of the Collector, Police Commissioner, fire services, electricity board and ambulatory services will also be displayed so that time is not lost in searching for the numbers to inform the authorities.

"The heads of institutions will act as shock absorbers, avoid panic and be resourceful enough to call for help to minimise damage." On building public faith in the system, Mr. Naresh says the parents can check the safeguards.

Another focus is standardisation of exit routes. A teacher will rush to the exit and open it. That will be among the first steps by various persons in each institution.

Changes to structures will also be made if they are found unsafe, such as a narrow exit. Mock drills and surprise checks for preparedness will also be conducted regularly.