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Texas ISD School Guide
Texas ISD School Guide







Short Stories for Teachers

What to Do During a School Fire Escape Drill
By:Jon Butt

Recently the Manchester Fire and Rescue Service went on strike for higher wages. They truly deserve it because they literally risk their lives in order to save others. The high number of factories in the City demands a lot of hard work and skilled training to fight fires in the Manchester area. I do not think that anyone begrudges them a pay rise.

However they are considered an essential service. Just like the police officers and hospital workers, they must be available for call outs and any other emergencies. And what about schools and hospitals, chock full of children and patients and the disabled?

Every school must have a fire escape plan. Every head teacher is responsible for getting the children out on time and in an orderly fashion. All children must be accounted for and attendance taken. How do we manage children during a fire alarm or a drill?

In some countries, they plan for these types of disasters far better. In the first term, they have a fireman come to talk to the different grade levels about basic fire safety. Then the principal takes the school floor plan and photocopies it several times. He then marks in pencil the easiest route to take for each classroom to the nearest two exits. It may be the main door or a classroom door which leads outdoors. Whatever the case, two exits are penciled in. The classroom teacher then approves it and it is coloured in and laminated. The plan is then posted in the classroom by the door, above the alarm and near the light switches. A main copy for all exit doors is made for the staff room and for every classroom.

The teachers then sit down with their classes and go over the protocol for behaviour:

When you hear the alarm stand up, leave your desk and walk to the door.

One student turns off the lights and one student shuts the door.

Teacher takes a clipboard with the class list and a pencil attached.

No one stops to get a coat or their belongings.

No talking or misbehaving.

Walk quietly to the closest exit and proceed to the meeting place.

Stand quietly in a line up with the teacher to take attendance.

Send somebody, with the attendance record, to the main fire warden at their post.

When all the attendance sheets are sent in the fire alarm can be turned off or fire action can take place as required.

Children with disabilities will be helped by their Educational Assistants or teacher.

It takes no time to start a fire, so it should take no time to practice a fire drill or for the real thing. This plan is an ideal way to ensure that children remain safe, whilst at school and all such institutions should make sure that this or a similar plan is in place.

Information on fire fighting equipment and fire extinguishers for home or commercial use http://www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk/safety/fire-extinguisher






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