SECTION 1
ADMINISTRATOR
SUGGESTED TEAMS / RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EARTHQUAKE PLANNING
This list suggests ways that you can apportion various emergency responsibilities to your staff. Everyone will have some responsibilities based on his/her job, and some people will have additional emergency responsibilities. See Section 3 for checklists of suggested actions for each of these teams before, during and after an earthquake.
The Planning Committee
This team can be composed of staff and/or parents. Interested individuals who have the time to participate will be most effective. People on this committee do not necessarily have responsibilities at the school at the time of an earthquake --rather, this committee is responsible for insuring that the planning takes place and that someone is responsible for each of the major issues identified. This committee drives the planning process, and will also want to observe drills and oversee training.
Responsibilities by Job Position
School Principal/Administrator
This team would also include office staff, who would function as support to school administrators.
Instructional Staff
This team would include teachers, as well as aides.
Maintenance Staff
This team would include custodial, buildings, and grounds and food workers.
Emergency Response Teams
(May not usually be part of school staff's responsibility. In order to have two or three staff members participate on these teams, they will have to be freed from their usual staff responsibilities.)
Emergency Operations Center -- principal or administrator and two or three others.
(This center will be put into operation after an earthquake. Most or all members of the Coordinating Committee will report here.)
First Aid Team -- school nurse and two others (preferably with first aid and CPR training).
- Make sure that first aid supplies are up to date and always complete.
- Keep emergency cards (list of medical resources in area) and health cards (for each employee and pupil) up to date.
- Make sure training of staff expected to administer first aid is up to-date.
- Be aware of special needs students' medical requirements and ensure that they are provided extra medication while at school or enroute.
Search and Rescue Teams -- three teams of two or three people,
- Make sure needed supplies (crowbar, hard hat, etc.) are on site.
- Make sure team members stay current with their training.
Site Security Team -- an administrator and two others.
- Work with Coordinating Committee to establish a release policy and communicate this policy to parents and staff. Develop procedures for how release will be handled with non-English speaking parents.
Fire Safety Team -- two teams of two or three people.
- Make sure fire fighting equipment (extinguishers, etc.) is in working order and that staff has received training in its use.
Evacuation Team -- an administrator and three others.
- Keep plans for designated emergency assembly area current.
- Make sure that necessary supplies are accessible.
Maintenance Team--custodians and food workers.
- Assist the Coordinating Committee in the identification of nonstructural hazards.
- With direction from the Coordinating Committee, assist in the reduction of non-structural hazards.
- Maintain inventory of food supplies. Include special needs students dietary requirements (i.e., Diabetics).
Communications Team -- three teams of two or three people.
- Assist the Coordinating Committee in identifying back-up communication capability within school campus organization and between campus and local officials.
- Assist in communicating school emergency procedures and policies to parents of students.
- Coordinate communications backup requirements with local ham radio, Citizen Band and/or runners.
- Develop communications backup for buses to ensure communication can be maintained while children are enroute.
School Earthquake Preparedness Guide - State of
Arkansas
Arkansas Office of
Emergency Services, 1993