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Organization: Wm. S. Hart Union High School District
Date: October 20, 2008
The Hart School District Prepares for the "Big One" with Two Major Events
The William S. Hart Union High School District, will be hosting a "DISASTER PREPAREDNESS SUMMIT" on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at Valencia High School, in the Gymnasium, at 7 P.M. The purpose of this summit will be to bring together all the first Responders and "Vital Links" under one roof, and to share with the schools and parents, the services they can provide after a major earthquake. Each participating organization will be given 5 to 10 minutes to share their response with the audience, followed by a question and answer period. The event will be filmed and aired on Channel 20 to create community awareness. Geologist Mark Benthien from the U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Educational Outreach, will kick off the meeting with some very informative facts that all Santa Clarita Valley residents will want to hear.
This "Summit", is the Hart District's prelude to their participation in the "Great Southern California Shake Out Scenario," developed by a team of scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey.
During the week of November 12-16, there will be a variety of special events, highlighted by the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2008! Individuals, families, the City, businesses, schools and organizations will join our firefighters, police officers, and other emergency responders in our largest earthquake preparedness activity.
For more information about these events call Bob Weber at 661-510-2969 or e-mail at rfw@hartdistrict.org. You can also log on to www.shakeout.org.
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Know Your Son's/Daughter's School Disaster Plan
YOU SHOULD KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS:
1. Q: Does the school have a disaster plan?
A: Yes. It is the Standardized Incident Management System (SIMS) and National Emergency Management System (NEMS), which are emergency response processes, required by the Homeland Security Presidential Directive. This directive ensures a consistent nationwide approach for all governmental agencies to work together with a common, recognizable plan that is standardized for all. These plans are located on the school's website and are sent home in the school newsletter each year. Copies of these plans are available at each site, upon request.
2. Q: What immediate actions are taken by the school when an earthquake occurs?
A. Teacher will: 1.Implement DROP, COVER, HOLD; 2. Follow the Emergency Action Plan, by taking the roll book and Emergency Backpack and escort the class, (when safe), to a pre-designated evacuation route Emergency Assembly Area posted at the classroom door; 3. Take roll, and send accountability report with runner to the Command Post.
B. The emergency response team will: 1. Set up a Command Post and First Aid Station; 2. Deploy the Search and Rescue Team; 3. Establish a Student Reunion/ Release Gate.
3. Q: How will students be cared for in your absence?
A: Each school has disaster bins that are stocked with food, water, first aid supplies and emergency response equipment. In addition, depending on the severity of the event, many of our sites will be designated as Red Cross Centers, with all of their support and professional services.
4. Q: How will parents be reunited with their sons/daughters?
A: Students will be released to their parents or an authorized adult, listed on the student's Emergency Card, at the school's Student Release Station. Parents or their designated representative will be asked to present identification before the student is released to him/her.
5. Q: How will parents get an updated status report on the conditions of their son's/daughter's school?
A. Parents will receive a telephone "Connect Message" with updated conditions and school plans.
B. Local radio station KHTS AM-1220 will have updated information on our local schools, as well as other vital conditions throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.
C. When possible, each school website will report pertinent information.
