Local schools are responsible for drawing up or revising emergency plans in the event of a power outage. In a circular, the Ministry of Education has sent the education departments a ‘thinking guide’, which they in turn must send to the directors. This is intended to “incite” them to take preventive action in the event of a prolonged power outage.
It is made clear from the outset that there cannot be uniform specifications – the regional and local conditions and the age of the pupils received are too different. At the same time, schools are advised to prepare for such a situation at their respective locations.
For example, schools need to know who is responsible for administrative operations in the event of an emergency and how they can be reached if the telecommunication systems fail. In addition, parents should be informed in advance about the procedure in the event of a blackout and think about how children who have not been picked up can be brought home. It should also be clear who carries information from class to class and who can remain on site to supervise the school.
Flashlights, water supplies and battery powered radios
Furthermore, sufficient flashlights, water supplies and battery-operated radios or crank radios are recommended. Class lists, contact and availability lists should always be available in printed form. Suitable rooms, in which it stays warm longer, even if the heating fails, must also be identified in advance.
Wait for further instructions by radio
In the event of a blackout, schools should wait for further instructions by radio and record all decisions in a log. For example, the lifts must be checked for trapped persons and defecation areas must be set up (if possible outside).
Students may not be sent home early
Classes should remain in the school building, lessons should continue if possible or time should be bridged with other activities to keep the children occupied. Under no circumstances should students be sent home early – what happens after the end of classes or after the daycare will depend on parental instructions to be obtained in advance for this emergency. But you also have to take into account that public transport does not work and parents themselves can get stuck.
When all children have been picked up or taken home, the school building must be secured. The circular also contains sample letters to parents, checklists and sample information for teachers.
Source: Krone
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