School employees and students participate in disaster drill
A fire races through Prince Hall—hundreds of patients, students, faculty, and staff are unaware, working in dozens of offices on the School’s five floors. A plan immediately goes into effect that will evacuate every one of the building’s four stories and basement, and account for every individual in the School.
This was the scenario Friday, November 9, as the School participated in
a University-wide disaster drill. Amazingly, the drill was completed and
342 persons throughout the School’s 96,968 square feet were accounted
for in 15 minutes.
During the drill exit monitors were stationed at each door, and individuals
were directed to emergency assembly points (EAPs) outside Prince Hall.
“The fourth floor of Prince Hall,” says Nancy Pulliam, dental
disaster preparedness chair, “was safely evacuated and every person
accounted for, in just three minutes.” In a real emergency, this
information would be given to the Red Cross so that family members could
be given information about their loved ones.
Students and faculty who were treating patients in the School’s clinics
participated in the drill, and were given cards with details of the evacuation
so they would be familiar with how to respond. The School also has plans
for caring for patients who may have treatment in progress at the time
of a disaster.
“We have prepared emergency first aid supplies,” says Ms. Pulliam,
“as well as equipment including protective goggles and crowbars that
can be used to free individuals who may be trapped.”
During each drill, staff practice with handheld walkie talkies, and there
are also ham radio operators in the School who are prepared to assist
in communications—valuable because phone systems may be unusable
when a disaster strikes.
The School is fortunate to have on its staff and faculty individuals who
have served in the military and who have had training and experience in
disaster preparedness. Ms. Pulliam received disaster response training
with city employees in the Moreno Valley City Council room from FEMA (Federal
Emergency Management Agency).
You may read more information about disaster response (including how to
talk to and prepare children for potential disasters) by accessing <www.fema.gov>.
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