To improve the quality of the potential response of staff, teachers, and students following an earthquake the Ministry of Education Disaster Committee should:
- Keep an up-to-date list of teachers and staff members trained in first aid or CPR
- Provide regular training and refresher courses in first aid or CPR by association with the local Red Cross organizations
- Consider providing first aid training for students (this has wider benefits than just for earthquake response)
- Consider training of staff and teachers in:
- Fire detection and abatement
- How and when to turn off utilities
- Search and rescue techniques
- Mental trauma alleviation
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Checklist for Planning and Evaluating the Effectiveness of At-School Earthquake Drills
(1) Have complete 'quake-safe' action drills been issued to all concerned?
(2) Are all students and staff familiar with the "Drop, Cover and Hold On" procedure?
(3) Have students and teachers demonstrated their ability to Drop, Cover and Hold On
immediately?
(4) Do students know what to do in areas without shelter?
(5) Do students stay quiet during drills?
(6) Are teachers able to maintain relative calm and reassure their students?
(7) Do students and teachers know and understand evacuation procedures?
(8) Does everyone know their safe evacuation assembly area?
(9) Do teachers remember to take their class roster and evacuation checklists to the
assembly area after evacuation?
(10) Have other staff members practiced their roles during earthquake drills?
(11) Have emergency variations been practiced (e.g. exits blocked, aftershocks occurring,
etc.)?
(12) Have students had ample opportunity to discuss their fears and concerns about
earthquakes, including how they can help each other?
(13) Have parents been informed about the earthquake drills?
(14) Have the drills been extended into the family and home?