Civil defence planning at school
Your emergency plan must consider (call civil defence at council for suggestions on plan format):
- During the initial stages of an emergency, schools may need to take some initial actions to look after themselves.
- Emergency services may not be able to respond for some hours during the initial stages.
- Parents will need reassurance that you have plans to keep the children safe.
- Water, electricity, communications and transport may not be available.
- Some buildings may suffer moderate to severe damage.
- Students and staff that are injured during the emergency may need to be cared for within the school itself.
Some suggested planning steps:
- Form a focus group to develop plan and oversee implementation
- Develop a site map.
- Identify and assess hazard impacts - could they affect students and staff.
- Plan for the consequences of hazards - identify safe areas, evacuation and potential damage.
- Plan should identify who is responsible for doing what and when.
- Recovery - identify long term requirements.
- Review your plan and advise parents/caregivers and the local community.
'Action-Reaction' The New Zealand East Coast Hazard Education Kit
This school education kit is designed for Levels 2-4 (Year 4-8) students to teach them about natural hazards and civil defence preparedness. It was produced jointly by Hawkes Bay and Gisborne local authorities.
The Kit comprises an educational booklet, a poster and a copy of a picture book 'Isabel's Upside-Down Day' by Hawkes Bay author Rosamond Rowe. This kit has been given free for use in Gisborne schools. A complementing video prepared by Simon Nixon Productions is available for loan (or copies can be purchased by schools) and includes archive footage of floods, earthquakes and other disasters.
For a copy of the East Coast Hazard Education Kit contact us.
Check other education resources available
Check out Auckland's online resource:
Welcome to Stan’s Land - a special place to play and learn about disasters. First choose a disaster, then you’ll be shown a list of activities to choose from. Have fun and be careful: http://stansland.aucklandcivildefence.org.nz/(external link)