PROVISION MADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 181, 15 May 1941, Page 6

PROVISION MADE

PROTECTING SCHOOL CHILDREN. IN EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. DISPERSAL POLICY APPROVAL.

The opinion that in case of an emergency the immediate dispersal oi school children to their homes under supervision was preferable to any attempt at providing mass cover or protection was expressed in a letter received by tlio Central Executive of the Ashburton Emergency Precautions Scheme last evening from Mr W. Crawford (convenor of the committee for protection or school children). Nine recommendations for the protection of children were submitted, the principle of dispersal of children rather than mass protection being embodied. The scheme provides for sending children from school in groups, according to locality of residence, along defined routes and in charge of a senior pupil. To familiarise pupils with the routes to be followed frequent rehearsals would bo necessary. To avoid disorganisation or congestion of traffic parents are advised against bringing cars and taking away their children from school or from points along the route from the school to the children’s homes.

The provision at schools of waterbutts, buckets filled with water and supplies- of sand is recommended in order to deal with fire. It is also suggested that senior pupils be organised into fire-fighting squads to deal with small fires. Fire emergency drill should be carried out frequently.

A supply of stretchers for each school is advised so that seriouslyinjured children could be sent to a pre-arranged dressing-station. Each school should arrange its own warning signal and immediate protective measures in the event of an emergency occurring durijng school play periods. Any general action by school authorities for the protection of children should bo taken in conformity with the instructions of the local E.P.S. organisation. To ensure the speedy receipt of such instructions it is recommended that telephone communication bo established with those schools lacking in this respect. Where communications become disrupted headmasters should act on their own responsibility and adopt measures to secure the utmost possible protection and cover for the children under their charge. The recommendations wore adopted. Commenting on the policy of dispersal Mr G. Kelly (controller of the Finance and Records Committee) said that through bombing a great deal of damage might be caused before the children could l>e dispersed. Mr H. G. Kemp (controller of the Public Works and' Utilities Committee) who had attended a meeting of representatives of schools at which the recommendations were formulated pointed out that while some children might suffer while dispersing the loss might be greater if they were in a mass.

The question was asked as to what was to be clone with country children attending school in the town. Mr Kemp pointed out that the scheme had yet to be elaborated.