21 November 2006

Your kids are at school and an earthquake (or other disaster) strikes! What happens next? Well, here we're preparing for the day the earth moves by running drills with the teachers, staff, parents, and students.

During the day the students were familiarized with stressful scenarios as a lock-down due to an unauthorized person on the grounds. Doors were locked, lights extinguished, students hid. The public address system got a good workout.

Then the "earthquake" hit. As the teachers evacuated the students they were confronted with yellow caution tape simulating a collapse of part of the building. Other egress had to be found.

But not over here! More yellow tape, more damaged buildings, more thought required to get to the school-yard; our designated safe area.

Ms. Levett ensures everyone in her class evacuated. Everyone have their buddies? No? It's documented and rushed over to the coördinating committee.

In the yard's center the committee meets, seeing what the emergency has wrought, who is missing, and what issues still need to be addressed. (A bunch of security and safety processes have already been put into play, but no plan meets first contact with the enemy, in this case chaos.)

Ms. Krey leads her class in relaxing play and group activities. Just as would be necessary during a real emergency, where parents are away and may not be able to easily cross the city to retrieve kids easily or quickly.

Ted brings out drawing materials for his charges. Lots of ways to deal with the unusual circumstances.

Ted and Mickey (your webmaster) assemble the first aid station. In my hands are the notes from last year's exercise; I'm taking notes on what's improved (a lot) and what still needs to be done (a wee bit).

The walkie-talkie crackles. Principal Willem Vroegh receives word that a missing student has been found by the search and rescue team he dispatched a short while ago. The student is injured and can't walk. A gurney is needed.

Help is on the way in the guise of Mr. Wong, gurney already in hand.

A very happy retrieval team(from left) Mr. Wong, Coach Drew, Ms. Mullins, and Angelplaces the "injured" student and prepares to move him to the aid station.

Triage happens. (The hypothetical injuries are listed on the red card around the student's neck.) We have CPR-trained staff and a good amount of supplies.

The school is locked down. Parents, guardians, and any authorized others must show identification when they arrive to retrieve kids. Once they're found on the lists a runner is dispatched to the kid.

Here Ms. Levett brings two kids to waiting parents.

As the drill winds to a close Mr. Vroegh gets status from Ms. Krey.

It was a long and involved day. The kids liked the exercises, and mine were talking about it late into the evening. We're just a bit more prepared for the next emergency (or next drill, whichever comes first.)

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