Preparedness Phase in Emergency Education - Essay Example

However, researchers have indicated several steps that should be followed to minimize damage and impacts from various disasters. In this case, California has been hit by an earthquake, and a high school is required to host some families for a few days with only enough food for few days. There are facilities in the school that have been affected by the earthquake, but still someone needs to ensure that less damage is done, and more people are helped. If the earthquake was premeditated, there are various preparations that would have been done to ensure that as many families possible would be accommodated comfortably in the school.

The first thing would be to check the gas pipes so as to avoid fire which is known to cause massive destruction in various places. The fire extinguishers should be in visible and accessible places in case there is a fire outbreak from other reasons other than gas leak. The other preparation should be ensuring that there is enough food and water to feed the school family and extra in case there are other people who will be hosted by the school. The school should also inform the government and the stakeholders on their plan to have the students stay in school in case of the earthquake.

Informing the stakeholders will get the school more resources that would help manage the situation effectively by ensuring that all measures are in place. The other preparatory measure will be talking to the students about the threat of the disaster, advising them where to go and which places to avoid when the earthquake occurs. Preparing the students on disasters ensures reduction of accidents caused by fright attacks and the school will still be organized, and if there are any damages they will be minimal and manageable.

The earthquake is bound to have effects on various school facilities like the swimming pool and the games field. It will be impossible to use the two facilities during the earthquake and water in the swimming should be drained. Some accidents that may occur at the swimming include drowning and head trauma in the event that the earthquake hits and there are people around the swimming pool. The most appropriate agency that would be used by the school to help in mitigation of risk would be the National Incident Management System (Coppola, 2001).

This system ensures all the preparations on a disaster are all put into place. They have fire management systems that are required in case of earthquakes and other disasters that may occur from it. The personal on the agency are well trained on how to deal with such situations by going through intensive exercises on extreme grounds, planning, and they are qualified for various things making them the best team to handle school children in shock. The school facilities should be well prepared and equipped to face any disaster, and the preparations can be written or unwritten as long as everyone is warned on what to do in case of an earth quake.

The school should have enough staff that will be able to assist the students be at the right place at the right time. The school could have some of the rooms shielded against the earth quake tremors and ensure that every student find their way to the safe rooms. First aid kits should also be available in plenty in case of unplanned accidents. There should also