Understanding the
Impact of Large-Scale Disasters
Schools must be prepared to rely on their own
resources because assistance from others may be
delayed, depending on the scope of an emergency.
Remember, for a large-scale event such as an
earthquake or tornado, the same disaster that
affects your school will also affect the surrounding
community. The list below offers insights into to
possible effects of a large disaster (adapted from
the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s [FEMA’s]
“Multi-Hazard Program for Schools,” 1999)http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=11907
(2004)
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is362.asp (online course)
http://www.fema.gov/kids/schdizr.htm (site for kids)
·
Experts advise that schools may be on
their own for 3 or more days following a
catastrophic disaster. All staff should be alerted
in the planning phase that, in the event of such an
emergency, they will be required to staff the school
during this time.
·
A large disaster may result in:
§
Widespread telephone outage
§
Road blockages and damage to roads and
bridges
§
Gridlock or congestion of roadways
§
Loss or damage to utility systems
§
Damage to local dams, especially
earth fill dams
§
Chemical or electrical fires
§
Release of fuels and hazardous
materials
§
Flash flooding
·
Injuries and death may be caused by
falling objects, fires/smoke inhalation, release of
hazardous materials, flying debris, roof collapse,
flooding and landslides.
·
The disaster that affects you also
affects the community.
·
Fires, spills, damaged buildings, and
search and rescue operations will overwhelm normal
emergency response forces including police
departments, fire departments and emergency medical
services.
·
It is important for school staff to
develop personal and family emergency response plans
because school personnel may have moral and legal
responsibilities at school should a disaster occur.
The family should anticipate that a staff member may
be required to remain at school following a
catastrophic event.
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