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Policies, Regulations Forms and Bylaws

4110-25 | Emergency Preparedness - Landslide or Mudslide Response

Date Approved: February 10 2015
Date Reviewed/Amended: November 16 2015

A.  Take Cover

  1.   IF INDOORS
    • Find cover in the part of the building that is furthest away from the approaching landslide.
    • Take shelter under a strong table, bench, counter, desk, etc.
    • Hold on firmly and stay put until all movement has stopped.
  2.   IF OUTDOORS
    • Move quickly away from the likely path of the landslide or mudslide, keeping clear of embankments, trees, power lines and poles.

    • Stay away from the landslide area. The slope may experience additional failures for hours to days afterwards.

 

B.  Evacuate the Building

The decision to evacuate the building after a landslide or mudslide is dependent on the condition of the building and conditions outside the building. The Principal will normally contact the fire department and follow their advice; however if there is concern with the stability of the building the Principal will seek the safest way to evacuate the building. If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, evacuate your building immediately and call 9-1-1. When a decision has been made to evacuate:

  Teachers will:

  • Ensure gas and equipment,
  • ascertain if it is safe to exit the classroom via the designated evacuation route;
  • if able to exit classroom as planned, direct students to walk, with jackets and shoes on, in a quiet and orderly manner along the evacuation route to the designated assembly area;
  • if an exit route is blocked calmly and firmly lead students to an alternate exit;
  • avoid overhead wires which may have fallen during the landslide or mudslide;
  • activate evacuation plans for any students with special needs;
  • do not delay the evacuation except to reassure the injured or provide life-saving first aid interventions;
  • bring a class list, which includes that day’s attendance;
  • if unable to exit the classroom, have students sit on the floor against an inside wall;
  • if unable to exit the classroom, contact the Principal and seek further instruction.

   > All employees will ensure that all occupants are able to immediately evacuate the building using the designated evacuation routes to a safe assembly area.

   > Stay away from any fallen power lines.

   > The earthquake kit must be taken to the command post. Emergency medical forms and supplies will be kept close to or within the earthquake kit.

 

C.  Account for all Occupants

  1.   Teachers will:
    • immediately take attendance at the assembly area;
    • immediately report any missing students, staff and/or visitors to the command post; and
    • apply I.D. information to all primary and injured students; if I.D. tags are missing,
    • write I.D information on children’s foreheads.
  2.   The Principal will:
    • set up a command post;
    • determine if all students, staff, and visitors have safely exited the school building(s);
    • and
    • inform fire department officials immediately upon their attendance of names and ages of unaccounted for students, staff, visitors and their possible location in the building, including any injured or trapped persons, or students with special needs, waiting for assistance to be removed from the building.
  3.   All building occupants will remain outside the building until the Principal or designate announces that it is safe to reenter.
  4.   If it is impossible or unsafe to return to the school building, follow emergency student release procedures.
  5.   Students must wait to be reunited with parents or guardians through the Student Release Station; keep accurate records of students released. If there are any students remaining after school hours, they must be accommodated at the school or at an identified Evacuation Reception Centre.

 

D.  Situation Management

  1.   The Principal will attempt to confirm the location(s) of damage in the facility, to advise the responding fire department.
  2.   In a major landslide or mudslide await instructions from emergency officials over battery-operated or car radio.
  3.   Teachers will:
    • remind students that parents may be delayed in calling for them; and
    • encourage students to talk about their anxieties and fears.
  4.   The Principal will:
    • oversee first aid, if necessary;
    • ensure all entrances to school property are open and not blocked;
    • disconnect utilities and equipment unless doing so jeopardizes employee safety; and
    • stand by and be of assistance to fire department officials, as needed.
  5.   Oversee conservation and distribution of uncontaminated water, as well as preparation of emergency facilities.
    • Discard any food items that may have been contaminated, when in doubt throw it out!
    • Do not use water that may be contaminated for washing, cleaning, drinking, or food preparation.
  6.   All media queries regarding a landslide or mudslide will be handled through the office of the Superintendent, in consultation with the local fire department.

 

4110      Emergency Preparedness
4110-90 Emergency Preparedness - Emergency Drills

REFERENCES
4110 - 4110 - Emergency Preparedness Policy
4110-90 - - Emergency Preparedness - Emergency Drills