Disaster and Emergency Preparedness: Guidance for ... - INEE Toolkit

School Disaster ManagementSchool Disaster Management is the process of assessment and planning, physicalprotection and response capacity development designed to:1. Protect students and the staff from physical harm;2. Minimize disruption and ensure the continuity of education for all children;3. Develop and maintain a culture of safety.School safety and educational continuity require a dynamic, continuous process initiatedby management and involving workers, students, parents, and the local community.School disaster management involves the familiar cycle of steps found in allproject management: assess hazards, vulnerabilities, capacities and resources; plan and implementfor physical risk reduction, maintenance of safe facilities, standard operating proceduresand training for disaster response; test mitigation and preparedness plans and skillsregularly, with realistic simulation drills; and revise your plan based on your experience.School disaster management mirrors individual and family disaster prevention, andwider community disaster prevention efforts. This guidance document is organized to helpremember and observe the parallel processes for disaster prevention that are taken up atevery level of society. The full scope of activities is included as follows:1. Assessment and planning – establishing or empowering your school disaster managementcommittee; assessing your risks, hazards, vulnerabilities and capacities;making contingency plans for educational continuity; communicating your plan.2. Physical and environmental protection – structural safety maintenance, nonstructuralmitigation; local infrastructure and environmental mitigation; firesafety.3. Response capacity development – standard operating procedures; response skillsand organization; response provisions.3