EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 63, 16 March 1942, Page 1

EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COUNTRY SCHOOLS The Wanganui Education Board has issued a very comprehensive circular detailing the: . procedure to be adopted in the case ot any I ' emergency ki icing out of the war situation in | connection with the safety of school children. [ In ail schools the rapid dispersal of children j to their homes is recommended in the event; of an emersency, but where an E.P.S. organ- ! isation exist.- 1 , this dispersal must be under- ! taken by authority only of the chief warden i or other officer approved bv him. and in such. a manner tnat the children will be exposet'. .to the minimum of risk and without hindrance ! to other E.P.S. activities. The beard recommends that all schools prat-', i tise regularly the rapid evacuation of build- j ' ings and the < itrsrsal of children to their, hjmes. In lhe.-*e matters the following su<r- ‘ gestions are offered: — That the evacuation alarm signal be a distinctive or.e and be readily distinguished from the school bell. That assembly points in the playground or school site be fixed for pupils of each class- , room, points to l>e well separated; no point to, ba near a building and pupils to keep well i ’ clear of buildings on reaching these points. . ; That on the alarm signal being given the , children act in classes; the pupils to be trained j to act in the event of the teacher being tern-; . porartlv absent from the room. That on evacuation, all gas meters and jets ■ be turned off and also the main electrical switch. On reaching assembly points each teacher to; ensure that all pupils are accounted for. I Having done this all teachers to report to j tno at.:-.- teacher present for further instruc- ; tions. F-r dispersal it is suggested: That the | r.ec-.'.-iiv for observing the rules of the road I be impressed on all pupils. That children be classified into groups according to the localitv of their homes. These groups not to be too ‘ large. Each group to be in charge of a ’ teacher assisted by specially selected senior i I 4 Is. Fhat groups be dispatched to their ( homes under supervision by the most direct ! rout»--» and that groups be spaced apart as fai 1 a» possible Tnc beard also recommends that all pupil? ' in tsenior <!: receive elementary instruciion in first ;id fron St. John Ambulance ( officials. Fire-fighting equipment should Ik? regularly in.-iiected to aee that it is in working order. 80-' of dry tsand should be provided and! also containers filled with water. /X supply: of wo'xi'-n shovels and rakej might also be arranged locally. ’Hie onus cf providing the labour for erect-] ing shelters will be on the school committee;'. • ana the c< nsti uction will require to he in accoiJame .vi..i plans to lie approved by Inc’. ! boa*d. It. .tc. approved cases a grant will i be provided towards the cost of material. The board looks to committees and teacher* I gui j iblic < pinion that no panic de.•■•ids will be raised by parents for the pro- ; of shelters. It is essential to the nation: 1 i oraif that the public have confidence in the steps which are being taken to safe•<uar<« the chi.dren steps which are approved < n rhe best expert advice obtainable as to the | : > :al danger or otherwise of particular'