Earthquake

Because earthquakes can strike without warning, the immediate need is to protect lives by taking the best available cover. All other actions must wait until tremors subside. If persons are protected from falling objects, the rolling motion of the earth may be frightening but may not be dangerous.

If inside:

Initiate Drop, Cover and Hold.

If no cover is available, get against an inside doorway or crouch against inside wall and cover head; stay away from outside walls, windows or other expanses of glass or potential falling objects.

Leave doors open to minimize jamming, if the building shifts.

Do not attempt to run through the building or outside due to risk of falling objects.

After initial shock, prepare for possible aftershocks, thein initiate evacuation and standard student accounting (avoid all hazards, i.e., electrical wires, broken glass, etc.)

If outside:

Move quickly away from building and overhead electrical wires..

Lie flat, face down, and wait for shocks to subside.

Use green card to indicate when class is all accounted for; use red card to indicate a child is missing or assistance is needed with your group.

Do not attempt to enter building until authorized to do so.

Do not touch fallen wires.

Be alert for instructions from principal or first responders.

Assembly Areas:

Earthquake safe areas will be away from the building and overhead power lines.

Keep everyone away from underground gas and sewer lines.

Call 911, District Support Team.

IN the event of aftershocks, students are encouraged to remain calm and stay sitting close to the ground.

Administer first aid as needed.

Do not re-enter the building until being given permission by emergency personnel.

Document actions and complete incident reports.

Weather Related Emergency

Watches: Indicate that conditions are right for the development of a weather hazard. Watches cover a larger area than Warnings. Watches usually have lead times of approximately 1-2 hours (tornado or thunderstorm), 3-12 hours (flash flood), and 12-36 hours (river flood or winter storm.)

Warnings: Indicate that a hazard is imminent and the probability of occurrence is extremely high. Warnings are issued based on eyewitness reports or clear signatures from remote sensing devices (radar, satellite.) Warning usually have lead times of approximately 30 minutes or less (for thunderstorm type events) and 6-18 hours (for river floods and winter storms.) The NOAA Radio should be programmed on hand-held radios and /or digital Wi-Fi enabled devices. If electricity were lost, weather information would still be available. If generators were not available, alternative energy sources such as solar or crank may be used.

Advisories: Issued when weather is expected to disrupt normal routines, but is not expected to be lifethreatening (e.g., 2-3 inches of snow, dense fog, etc.) Advisory lead times are the same as Warnings.

Upon Issuance of a Watch or Advisory

Principal/Designee:

Activate appropriate members of school Emergency Response Team to be alert for possible change in weather status.

Monitor weather reports for change in conditions.

Document actions and complete incident reports.

Upon Issuance of a Warning

Principal/Designee:

Implement procedure for use of Safe Zones for Severe Weather.

All students and staff proceed to designated Safe Zones for Severe Weather.

Remain quiet to hear further instruction.

Occupants of portable classrooms should move quickly to the main building to designated Safe Zones for Severe Weather.

Follow standard accounting and reporting procedures.

Remain in the designated Safe Zones for Severe Weather until the “all clear” is given.

In the event of building damage, students should be evacuated to safer areas of the building or away from the building.

If evacuation occurs, do not re-enter the building until the “all clear” is given.

Document actions and complete incident reports.