Fire Safety Information
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
Creating and maintaining a proper attitude toward emergency evacuation procedures is one of the greatest difficulties faced in a school setting. Much will be gained if each and every adult can impress upon his/her group the importance of practice evacuations and the real dangers of fire, explosion, “emergency exits” etc.
It is difficult to impress students with the need for rapid movement along designated traffic lines, and continued rapid movement as they approach their exit and after leaving the building. The tendency to slow down as they leave the door created a bottleneck and causes confusion, panic and disorder among students still within the building. Emergency evacuations are to be conducted in an orderly manner, both inside and outside. Students are to maintain neat and orderly lines and conduct themselves in an acceptable manner after they leave the building. Teachers must bring their class attendance lists and take attendance as soon as the group has formed outside the building.
Students must not talk, laugh or shout and must always be attentive to instructions from staff members. Staff members will be responsible for their own group. Practice makes perfect! Classroom Doors closed to prevent further drafts and spreading of fire, smoke and gases.
As stated above, staff members are responsible for their own groups. However, it may become necessary for teachers to assist in maintaining single file traffic and to keep moving rapidly when and where they see such help is necessary.
Some areas of expected problems are merging of single lines of traffic at doorways and at exit doors, some students will be prone to walking abreast a friend in order to converse, outside, lines may have a tendency to dissolve and students will gather in disorderly groups. Discuss these areas of concern prior to drill. Doors that do not remain open by themselves must be help open by a students and groups to first reach such doors should designate a student to hold them open.
The success of evacuations will be determined, to a certain extent, by the first drill. Students are prone to do those things they are accustomed to doing. If they are started with the right emphasis and importance, future problems will be minimized. The success of emergency evacuations depend on how well staff members instruct the students and impress the importance of cooperation and serious conduct.
Fire / Arson / Explosion
Arson means the unauthorized starting of a fire on school property, or assisting another in starting a fire.
Administrator’s Responsibilities
- Evacuate the building by using the fire alarm.
- Call 911; give the specific location, if known.
- Determine if students/staff need to evacuate campus, request transportation to the designated site.
- Call Director of Student Services.
- Contact the Maintenance Department to address the problem.
- ssist the fire department with locating the utilities.
- Ensure the building is evacuated.
- Signal an “All Clear” when appropriate.
- Notify the custodial staff to recharge/replace the fire extinguishers where appropriate.
Staff’s Responsibilities
- Stay calm and remain with the students.
- Close windows and doors; do not lock.
- Be alert to and assist any student with a disability if needed.
- Evacuate students quietly and in an orderly fashion.
- Be alert for further instructions.
- Return to building only after the building administrator or fire department gives the “all clear” signal.
- Avoid emergency vehicles.
K-8:
- Report any missing students to the building administrator (K-8 only).
High School:
- Maintain accurate records and email any missing students, including student ID number, to instructional assistant building administrator with a copy to the building administrator and Secretary as soon as possible.
Note:
- If arson is suspected, inform the responding police/fire personnel.
- Assist the police/fire.
- Help locate any possible suspect and/or witness(es).
- If the fire was extinguished, still report the fire to fire department for investigation.
Fire Drill Procedures
We are required to complete at least (5) fire drills each year, see the Fire Marshal Bulletin for more information. Three drills must be before December 1st and two must be after January 1st. Please review the following drill plan.
Emergency Exit Plan:
Attendance must be taken during a fire drill. Keep an updated class roster posted by your classroom door at all times. In your absence, the sub must place a copy of that day’s attendance in the emergency folder to have an accurate student count.
Alert Notice:
Pulsing alarm tone and strobe lights. See Fire Panel Instructions for further information.
- Gather your Emergency folder with an update roster.
- Classroom windows and doors must be shut and lights turned off.
- Students are to exit the building using the designated route. They are to continue until they are at least 100 feet from the building. *Teachers must familiarize themselves with the designated emergency exit for their classroom prior to the drill.
- Students should walk quickly and silently while exiting the school.
- Elevators are never to be used during a fire emergency or fire drill. Students on crutches, in wheelchairs, or who have permission to use the elevator are to be assisted. No student is to be excused from participation.
- EVERYONE must vacate the building. Please relay this to any visitors you may may encounter.
- In evacuating the building be sure that all service driveways remain free of students so driveways can be used by incoming fire department equipment.
- Students are to remain quiet and orderly while the teacher takes attendance.
- If all students are accounted for, raise your green card, if you have an extra student raise your yellow card and if you are missing a student raise you red card.
- One long ring of the school bell will be the signal for students to re-enter the school.
- All students are to re-enter the building and return to their assigned rooms at the
time of the drill. Students should remain quiet. - After a brief report from the Principal via the P.A., please discuss the drill as it pertains to your individual groups.
Regular activities may then resume. - Principals may debrief the staff at a later date on what worked and what didn’t.
Principals will submit documentation of fire drill completion as required.
***Fire extinguishers are located in several places throughout the building. Teachers should know where the nearest extinguisher is located. (see maps)