Policy
We recognize the importance of the safety of learners, families and educators. There are two areas covered by this policy. The first focuses on the families and learners in our online program. As an Independent Online Learning school, through regular Bulletins delivered to families we bring the attention of learners and families to emergency preparedness materials and resources that enable effective handling of emergency situations in the home. The second focuses on where children are attending ongoing learning activities in facilities that are provided in partnership with SelfDesign, for which we require documentation regarding fire and building codes, and we require emergency drills and response plans.
Emergency Management Planning Guide
Five All-Hazard Emergency Responses
In an all-hazards approach, there are five key responses that can be appropriately implemented in the event of most emergencies. The responses are context-specific and flexible. A decision to evacuate a school following an earthquake is not automatic. The decision must be made in light of the circumstances – damage to the building, the weather and other considerations.
These five responses are:
1. Drop-Cover-Hold On
Most people are familiar with the drop-cover-hold on response as it is the recommended immediate response for earthquakes. Drop-Cover-Hold On may be followed by a second response such as evacuation or shelter-in-place. However, it is also appropriate in the event of an explosion that causes buildings to shake or materials to fall from structures, since structures can become unstable, and materials can fall, explode, or disintegrate.
2. Evacuate
When a building or area becomes unsafe, evacuation may be called for. The most common event requiring evacuation is fire, but other circumstances may also require evacuation. These include floods or a bomb threat within the school.
3. Lockdown
Lockdown is used to prevent intruders from entering occupied areas of a building, or when it is necessary to isolate students and stay away from a danger outside or within the building. Situations include active shooters or dangerous intruders. Staff and students are restricted in their movements to a specific area which is then protected through locking of exterior and classroom doors and covering windows. There may be other areas of the school that are capable of being locked down and these may also be designated as lockdown locations.
Do not use code words when ordering one of these responses. Use the correct terms–drop/cover/hold on, evacuate, lockdown, lockout or shelter in place.
4. Lockout (also known as Hold and Secure)
A lockout is used when it is necessary to secure a school because there is an emergency situation occurring outside the school. The exterior doors are locked and monitored to allow students and staff to enter, but otherwise remain locked. Once inside, no one leaves the building. An active police incident in a neighbourhood would trigger a lockout. Confirm with local police when it is safe to lift the lockout.
5. Shelter in Place
A shelter in place order is used when personal safety is considered to be in danger if anyone leaves the school. It is usually associated with an environmental hazard where hazardous materials are released into the atmosphere. For example, a chemical spill or gas leak in the immediate vicinity of the school. Shelter in place might also be used in the case of a wild animal in the vicinity of the school (e.g. cougar or bear).
In the case of environmental hazards, steps may need to be taken to ensure the school is airtight (e.g. turning on furnaces, air conditioning, closing fume hoods and exhaust systems, covering and taping windows), and that the air is safe to breath.
Not all emergencies require one of the five responses listed here. In fact, pandemics, epidemics or outbreaks of communicable diseases will need a very different type of response, which may include closing schools if the situation is serious enough. Typically, less drastic measures are sufficient.
[ MINI-CASE ]
A small outbreak of Hepatitis A in a Lower Mainland elementary school precipitated a rapid response to prevent further spread of the highly contagious disease. The school district and local health authority worked together to address the issue by facilitating a voluntary vaccination clinic at the school for students and staff who may have been exposed. This collaborative effort involved appropriate information sharing as authorized by the Public Health Act to ensure that staff, students, and their families could be contacted by the local health authority.
To determine a set of procedures and best practices, the following links can be referenced:
National School Safety Council
Earthquake Procedures
In case of an earthquake:
- duck into nearest alcove or under heavy furniture
- cover your head, neck and torso as best you can
- hold on to whatever is sheltering you
- move away from overhead hazards
After an earthquake:
- do not exit the building until it is safe to do so
- do not use elevators
- listen to portable radio for updates
- stay calm and use common sense
- cooperate with emergency officials
Emergency Fire Procedures
For Learning Centres:
Whistle signal for Fire Response/Drill is a series of short whistles or the fire alarm if applicable.
If indoors,
- Upon hearing whistle or fire alarm, leave the building following an adult, calmly and quietly in single file.
If outdoors,
- Upon hearing whistle or fire alarm, calmly walk over to the playground fence or to the area that has been identified for safety. If the names have already been called, be sure to tell the adult that you are present.
If in a vehicle,
- A fire alarm is sounded (a series of short whistles).
- Calmly leave the vehicle following an adult quietly and in a single file.
- Once safely away from the vehicle, an adult will call out each child’s name. When you hear your name respond with “Here” in a very loud voice.
- Do not re-enter the building for any reason and stay together.
In a location,
- Follow the adult (learning consultant, assistant, or parent/guardian) out to the fence bordering the property or to the area that has been identified for safety. Stay still and quiet.
- An adult will call out each child’s name. Respond with “here” in a very loud voice.
- Do not re-enter the building for any reason and stay together.
Change Log
- Policy page updated January 08, 2024
- Last reviewed/updated January 08, 2024