Administrative Regulation
AR3516.3
Business and Non-Instructional
Operations
Earthquake Emergency Procedure System
The Superintendent or
designee shall establish an emergency procedure system to be followed in case
of earthquakes. This system shall include, but not be limited to, the
following: (Education Code 35297)
1. A site building disaster
plan, ready for implementation at any time, for maintaining the safety and care
of students and staff
2. A drop procedure in which
students and staff members:
a.
Take cover under a table or desk
b.
Drop to their knees
c.
Protect their head with their arms
d.
Face away from the windows
3. Protective measures to be
taken before, during and after an earthquake
4. A training program to
ensure that all students and all certificated and classified staffs are aware
of, and properly skilled in, the earthquake emergency procedure system
Site disaster plans shall
outline roles, responsibilities and procedures for students and staff.
Drop procedures may be
expanded to ensure that students get under stationary desks or tables where
available, or otherwise get next to an inside wall or under an inside doorway.
Students shall stay in the drop position until the emergency is over or until
further instructions are given.
Earthquake Education
Drop procedures shall be
practiced at least once each school semester. (Education Code 35297)
Students also shall be
taught to take the following safety precautions during an earthquake if adults
are not present to give specific directions:
1. If you are in the open,
stay there.
2. Move away from buildings,
trees, and exposed wires.
3. After the earthquake, if
you are on your way to school, continue to school.
4. After the earthquake, if
you are on your way home, continue home.
Earthquake While Indoors at School
When an earthquake occurs,
the following actions shall be taken inside buildings and classrooms:
1. Teachers shall have
students perform the drop procedure.
2. As soon as possible,
teachers shall move the students away from windows and out from under heavy
suspended light fixtures.
3. Teachers shall have students
leave the building in an orderly manner when the earthquake is over.
Earthquake While on School Grounds
When an earthquake occurs,
the following actions shall be taken by teachers or other persons in authority
and students who are on school grounds:
1. The teacher shall direct
students to walk away from buildings, trees, poles, or exposed wires.
2. The teacher shall have
students perform the drop procedure, covering as much skin surface as possible,
closing eyes, and covering ears.
3. Teachers and students
shall stay in the open until the earthquake is over, or until further
directions are given.
Subsequent Emergency Procedures
1. In outside assembly
areas, teachers shall provide assistance to any injured students, take roll,
and report missing students to the principal or designee.
2. The principal shall
request assistance as needed from the county or city civil defense office or
fire and policy departments. He or she shall consider the possibility of
aftershocks and shall determine the advisability of closing the school, with
the advice of the county or city officials as appropriate. He or she shall also
contact the Superintendent or designee for further instructions.
3. The principal shall post
guards at a safe distance from all building entrances to see that no one
reenters until the buildings are declared safe. Monitors may be custodians,
teachers, or students.
4. Following the earthquake,
the principal and custodian shall inspect all buildings for water and gas
leaks, electrical breakages, and large cracks or earth slippage affecting
buildings. The principal shall notify utility companies of any break or
suspected break in lines which may present an additional hazard. If damage has
occurred, the custodian shall shut off all utilities at the main valve.
5. Teachers or students
shall not light any stoves or burners after the earthquake until the area is
declared safe.
6. If the principal believes
the school is damaged sufficiently to be a hazard, he or she shall notify the
superintendent or designee and ask that the county or city building inspector
check for structural failure and equipment adequacy. Until this is done, the
building shall not be occupied.
Legal Reference:
Education Code
35295-35297 Emergency
earthquake procedures
Adopted:
Revised:
Updated Policies & Exhibits: