Fire Escape Plans for Schools

In the event of a fire at the school where you work, it is important to have an escape plan in place. Knowing what to do in case of a fire emergency will help you save the lives of the children who depend on you, as well as your own. The first step to designing a plan is to get the school administrators, teachers and parents involved in the planning process.

Pre-Planning

• Those associated with the school, from the administration to the Parent Teacher Association, need to be on the same page when planning a fire evacuation plan, suggests the Pacific Communities Development Consultants. A meeting should be held in which all persons involved in planning are present, so that concerns and questions can be raised before a plan is ironed out.

Escaping the Fire

• : First, be sure that whatever plan you decide upon, all teachers and school personnel know the plan. Fire drills are perfect for practicing the plan that is put in place. For secondary and elementary schools, it makes sense that teachers in each classroom be responsible for their classroom exiting the building safely. To do so, escape routes and secondary escape routes (should the first route be blocked by fire) need to be clearly defined. A map of the school, with the routes marked, will suffice. If time permits, close doors and windows to prevent the oxygen outside from feeding the fire, suggests Oklahoma State University.

  Designate a member of the office staff (either a secretary or principal) to call emergency personnel and alert them to the fire. Most schools have fire alarms that, once sounded, send an emergency signal directly to police and fire personnel.

  More importantly, designate a few more school personnel (custodians and/or office assistants) to check bathrooms, storage closets and any other areas where frightened children might hide if they lose track of their teachers and classmates. For students and staff with physical or mental impairments, be sure each student or staff member is assigned, in advance, an able-bodied staff member to escort them from the building.

Once Your Class has Escaped

• Ensure that the teachers and staff of your school know where to regroup once the school is evacuated, suggests the Pacific Communities Development Consultants. This area is usually on the grounds of the school or the parking lot.

  Take along your attendance list and contact info for the parent's of your students, as you will need to check attendance and contact their parents, once you and your class have safely exited the building.

  If firefighters and police have not yet arrived on scene, and there are injured students or staff present, begin assessing their conditions and treating them for burns or other injuries, by utilizing your fire disaster kit.

Fire Disaster Kits

• Disaster kits are important tools for ensuring a safe exit and for helping the injured after an exit. They should contain flashlights, small fire extinguishers, a means of communication (walkie-talkie), a fire blanket and basic medical supplies, suggests Preparedness.com. Be sure you do not overload the kit, as it may slow you down during your escape.