School Newsletter 2: Communications

This is the second of five e-mails prior to the ShakeOut and the topic for today is

COMMUNICATIONS

Just when you need connectivity with your staff, students and parents, as well as local CDEM teams, the whole system is likely to fail. Land lines and cell phones will likely not function, mainly as a result of power failures. In the case of an alpine fault earthquake this is inevitable because the power lines cross the fault line and cannot tolerate the anticipated 8m horizontal movement. Radio stations will be the first source of information, but these may well be inoperative for some time also. It would be wise to have access to a battery operated radio, but remember that most of the cars in the staff car park will have these fitted.

Having a plan to cope with the inability to communicate is essential for schools. Students will need guidance, and staff will need to know what is expected of them in advance. There will be no time for reading the emergency procedures in an earthquake. Some staff will have priorities other than the school and may need to be released immediately. Others may be able to help for a considerable time. Some students will head away from school despite your efforts to contain them, and as such your registers may be inaccurate.

Communications may end up being a runner to the local emergency management centre (usually the district council building). Make sure your staff know about this before it happens.

FELLOWSHIPS WITH RSNZ

On a completely different topic. I have an awarded teacher fellowship in science, mathematics and technology for 2009. If any or all of your staff are interested in learning about these I am happy to speak with individuals or to groups at the school, assuming it fits in with my travel plans. It's a great experience and not a bad opportunity for the school either.

Chris Manuel
West Coast ShakeOut Coordinator
www.shakeout.org.nz

The information in this e-mail is the opinion of the author, after significant research. If you are making decisions based upon it, please take the time to follow the links and check up on the details that will affect your decision. Copies of this and previous e-mails will be available shortly on the website http://www.shakeout.org.nz, so if you have only just registered you can see what you have missed.