Tuolumne COE | AR 3516.3 Business and Noninstructional Operations
Earthquake Emergency Procedure System
Earthquake Preparedness
Earthquake emergency procedures shall be established in every school/program site building having an occupant capacity of 50 or more students, or more than one classroom, and shall be incorporated into the comprehensive school/program site safety plan. (Education Code 32282)
(cf. 0450 - Comprehensive Safety Plan)
Earthquake emergency procedures shall be aligned with the Standardized Emergency Management System and the National Incident Management System. (Government Code 8607; 19 CCR 2400-2450)
(cf. 3516 - Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness Plan)
Earthquake emergency procedures shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (Education Code 32282)
1. A school/program site building disaster plan, ready for implementation at any time, for maintaining the safety and care of students and staff
2. A drop procedure whereby each student and staff member takes cover under a table or desk, dropping to his/her knees, with the head protected by the arms and the back to the windows
Drop procedures shall be practiced at least once each school/program site quarter in elementary school/program sites and at least once each semester in secondary school/program sites.
3. Protective measures to be taken before, during, and following an earthquake
4. A program to ensure that students and staff are aware of and properly trained in the earthquake emergency procedure system
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4231 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4331 - Staff Development)
The Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools or designee may work with the California Office of Emergency Services and the Seismic Safety Commission to develop and establish the earthquake emergency procedures. (Education Code 32282)
Earthquake emergency procedures shall outline the roles and responsibilities of students and staff during and after an earthquake.
Staff and students shall be informed of the dangers to expect in an earthquake and procedures to be followed. Students shall be instructed to remain silent and follow directions given by staff in such an emergency. Staff and students also shall be taught safety precautions to take if they are in the open or on the way to or from school/program site when an earthquake occurs.
Earthquake emergency procedures shall designate outside areas and alternative areas, which may include areas off campus if necessary, in which students will assemble following evacuation. In designating such areas, the Superintendent or designee shall consider potential post-earthquake hazards outside school/program site buildings including, but not limited to, power lines, trees, covered walkways, chain link fences that may be an electric shock hazard, and areas near buildings that may have debris.
Earthquake emergency procedures shall designate evacuation routes and alternative routes that avoid areas with potential hazards to the extent possible. The needs of students with disabilities shall be considered when planning evacuation routes.
The County Superintendent or designee shall identify potential earthquake hazards in classrooms and other County Office facilities. Potential hazards may include, but are not limited to, areas where the main gas supply or electric current enters the building, suspended ceilings, pendant light fixtures, large windows, stairwells, science laboratories, storage areas for hazardous materials, shop areas, and unsecured furniture and equipment. To the extent possible, such shall be minimized by securing equipment and furnishings and removing heavy objects from high shelves.
Earthquake While Indoors at School
When an earthquake occurs, the following actions shall be taken inside buildings and classrooms:
1. Staff shall have students perform the drop procedure. Students should stay in the drop position until the emergency is over or until further instructions are given.
2. In laboratories, burners should be extinguished if possible before taking cover.
3. As soon as possible, staff shall move students away from windows, shelves, and heavy objects and furniture that may fall.
4. After the earthquake, the principal/program administrator or designee shall determine whether planned evacuation routes and assembly areas are safe and shall communicate with teachers and other staff.
5. When directed by the principal/program administrator or designee to evacuate, or if classrooms or other facilities present dangerous hazards that require immediate evacuation, staff shall account for all students under their supervision and have the students evacuate the building in an orderly manner.
Earthquake While Outdoors on School Grounds
When an earthquake occurs, the following actions shall be taken by staff or other persons in authority who are outdoors on school/program site grounds:
1. Staff shall direct students to walk away from buildings, trees, overhead power lines, power poles, or exposed wires.
2. Staff shall have students perform the drop procedure.
3. Staff shall have students stay in the open until the earthquake is over or until further directions are given.
Earthquake While on the Bus
If students are on the school/program site bus when an earthquake occurs, the bus driver shall take proper precautions to ensure student safety. The driver shall pull to the side of the road, away from any outside hazards if possible, and turn off the ignition. As soon as possible, the driver shall contact the County Superintendent or designee for instructions before proceeding on the route.
(cf. 3543 - Transportation Safety and Emergencies)
Subsequent Emergency Procedures
After the earthquake has subsided, the following actions shall be taken:
1. Staff shall extinguish small fires if possible.
2. Staff shall provide assistance to any injured students, take roll, and report missing students to the principal/program administrator or designee.
3. Staff and students shall not light any stoves or burners until the area is declared safe.
4. All buildings shall be inspected for water and gas leaks, electrical breakages, and large cracks or earth slippage affecting buildings.
5. The principal/program administrator or designee shall post staff at a safe distance from all building entrances and instruct staff and students to not reenter until the buildings are declared safe.
6. The principal/program administrator or designee shall request assistance as needed from the county or city civil defense office, fire and police departments, city and county building inspectors, and utility companies and shall confer with them regarding the advisability of closing the school/program site.
7. The principal/program administrator or designee shall contact the County Superintendent or designee and request further instructions after assessing the earthquake damage.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
32280-32289 School safety plans
GOVERNMENT CODE
3100 Public employees as disaster service workers
8607 Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 19
2400-2450 Standardized Emergency Management System
Management Resources:
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY PUBLICATIONS
Guidebook for Developing a School Earthquake Safety Program, 1990
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES PUBLICATIONS
The ABCs of Post-Earthquake Evacuation: A Checklist for School Administrators and Faculty
Guide and Checklist for Nonstructural Earthquake Hazards in California Schools, January 2003
School Emergency Response: Using SEMS at Districts and Sites, June 1998
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org
California Office of Emergency Services: http://www.oes.ca.gov
California Seismic Safety Commission: http://www.seismic.ca.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): http://www.fema.gov/hazards/earthquakes
National Incident Management System (NIMS): http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims
Regulation TUOLUMNE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
approved: August 1, 2008 Sonora, California