Critical Incident Manual - Ministry of Education

Guidelines for Developing a Critical Incident Management Plan for a Safe School EnvironmentIncident: Adverse Weather ConditionsThis includes hurricanes, flooding, tsunamiPotential OutcomesNatural and climatic events including storms, hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, and tsunamiscan cause extensive damage to property and lives. Some of these events provide no priorwarning, but for others the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management willissue warnings regarding the extent to which the expected weather event will be affecting thecountry and specific geographic locations. It is important that instructions are adhered to inorder to lessen damage to property and loss of lives.Pre-plan Action• Ensure that disaster prevention education is integrated in the school curriculum.• Conduct regular drills for the students and staff.• Have emergency numbers posted at strategic point.Immediate Action• Activate CIMT.• Principal should take the necessary action to ensure the safety of students andproperty.• Advise the Regional Education Office of decisions taken to dismiss school.• Dismiss school when it is safe to do so.• Notify parents that classes will be suspended• Students should be advised not to attempt to cross fording and gorges that are inspate, and to walk or drive with care on the street.• Students should not attempt to cross broken or washed away bridges.• Students should be advised to stay away from fallen power lines and landslides.Follow-up Action• Consult the local disaster prepared unit and MOE in order to determine when classescould be resumed.• Notify parents through the media when classes will resume.• Implement procedures to return the school to normality.• Document and submit the relevant report to the MOE.Ministry of Education 2008 / 97