We all hope that these emergencies never occur, but if they do we wish to be well prepared. Please find below our current Emergency Evacuation Procedure followed by our Fire Procedure.

Emergency Evacuation

This procedure is for moving people out of the school buildings to a place of safety. In situations where it is safer to be inside, we use the reverse evacuation procedure.

In response to the fire alarm, during an evacuation drill, or if necessary after an earthquake, students need to be moved from their classrooms to a place of safety, and checked against an accurate list of attending students. Staff, visitors to the school, contractors, etc. also need to be evacuated and accounted for.

Any event that requires evacuation could be stressful for students (and adults). Be calm, and encourage others to be calm.

Evacuation drills

Drills should be held at different times of day to practise all contingencies, such as evacuation during assembly, during normal class time, and during lunch breaks. Determine a target time for an evacuation based on previous drills, and time each drill. Consider your process for accounting for visitors. In a debrief after the drill, discuss any issues and ideas for improving the process.

The following guidelines ensure that everyone is well prepared for an evacuation procedure:

• All teachers (and students) know the best route for their class to take to the assembly area.

• Evacuation drills are held each term. The dates of the drills will be noted in the principal’s reports to the board of trustees.

• The school may at times liaise with the local fire service in arranging evacuation drills.

• Up-to-date evacuation procedures and escape routes are displayed in all classrooms and spaces around the school.

• A record of the day's student attendance is kept in an emergency evacuation folder for checking after an evacuation.

• In terms 2 and 4, the principal assures the board, as part of the implementation audits and reports, that evacuations have taken place.

Drill and evacuation signals

When we hold an earthquake drill, the signal is the intermittent (pulsing) ringing of the bell. See Earthquakes.

The signal for an evacuation, and an evacuation drill, is a continuous ringing of the school alarm bell. This automatically activates via heat and smoke sensors, but can also be activated by switching on any of the fire alarm boxes.

Evacuation procedure

An evacuation procedure may require modification on the day due to unforeseen circumstances.

On hearing the school evacuation signal, or if warranted after an actual earthquake, teachers must take the students out through the nearest exits. Direct visitors to the assembly area.

Teachers' Responsibilities

• Check own rooms and cloak bays.

• Open the closest fire exit and speak calmly to the students.

• Collect up-to-date class list and reliever folder.

• Clear the class: Students file quietly to the assembly area on the Warren Place side of the field, in front of Manuka and Mahoe rooms.

• Students stand in two lines (boys/girls). When their name is called out, they respond "Yes" and sit down.

• Once the roll is taken, the class teacher reports to the school fire officer (the principal, or their deputy if they are absent).

• Remain with pupils. Do not allow any student to leave the assembly area until authorised by the principal.

Principal's Responsibilities

• Check the administration block.

• Take cell phone.

• Check and support MW and Awatea staff as needed.

• Act as school fire officer, and release students only when emergency is over and everyone is safe.

Office Staff Responsibilities

• Check student toilets, music room, teaching space next to music room, Reading Recovery room, reading support room, Lundia resource room (next to Kahikatea), and library.

• Take cell phone, laptop, first aid kit, emergency backpack, daily absence report, visitors book, relievers book, and a set of class lists to assembly area.

• Place "Emergency Evacuation" sign at main entrance.

If necessary, the principal implements the disaster management plan and/or school closure.

Fire 

Anyone finding a fire should raise the alarm immediately. Go to the closest call point (fire alarm switch – usually in red mounting with a glass front) and activate it. If possible, alert the office.

The principal or a designated person contacts Fire and Emergency New Zealand from a safe place, and starts the signal for evacuation/fire. The signal for an evacuation, and an evacuation drill, is a continuous ringing of the school alarm bell. This automatically activates via heat and smoke sensors, but can also be activated by switching on any of the fire alarm boxes.

The evacuation procedure starts immediately.

The following guidelines ensure that everyone is well prepared in the case of a fire at school:

• Teachers practise the evacuation procedure with their students.
• All staff know the location of call points, and how to use them.
• All staff know how to use fire extinguishers and hoses, and to only use them if it is safe to do so.
• Only if conditions permit should any adult attempt to put out a fire. No attempt should be made to put out a fire unless Fire and Emergency New Zealand has been called and everyone is evacuated and accounted for. Also take into account the size and location of the fire and your ability to access and retreat from it.

Please note that we are currently reviewing these procedures and updating them as necessary.