School Fire Crisis: Response Plan Essay

Introduction

The occurrence of the 7.3 earthquake led to the development of a fire and people crises. However, we have established a quick response system to counteract the effect of the crises. As the school’s superintendent, I will first ensure that the media, public and national fire authorities are aware about the crises. However, this shall be controlled to limit the extent of rumours that might spark fear in the public. The following departments will be coordinated to handle the crises:

• The School Commander: Will be in charge of making decisions in collaboration with other senior members in the school.
• The Public Information officer/Superintendent: As the Superintendent, I will ensure that all necessary steps are taken to control the crisis.
• Safety Officer: Will ensure that all students and families within the school remain safe during the crisis.
• Liaison Officer: Will ensure perfect coordination exists between the schools’ command structure and public agencies.
• Operations: This department will handle the challenges of the crisis by providing necessary support to students and families.
• Planning: This department will help to establish and maintain a constant supply of resources.
• Logistics: The logistics team will be in charge of managing and delivering all necessary equipment and supplies to use during the crisis.
• Finance and Administration: Will be responsible for releasing funds for urgent needs, and keeping records of expenditure during the crisis.

Urgent Resources Required

During the crisis, there will be urgent need for some resources. Also, putting in mind the large population of students (3,000); and the fact that between 300 – 400 families are expected to stay at the school during the crisis, more resources shall be required. The following are some of the urgent resources and equipment required:

• Medical Kits and Supplies.
• Temporary Beddings.
• Food Supplies and water.

Response Procedure

1. As the schools’ superintendent, I will immediately report at the school to assess the fire crisis situation. Depending on the fire growth rate in the laboratory, I will consider making a 911 call for a quick assistance.
2. Then, I will inform all members in the command structure about the crisis, and collaborate with the Safety and Operations department to make all fire safety equipments available.
3. Where applicable, immediate evacuation plans shall be conducted by the operations department to relocate the students to safe buildings.
4. Meanwhile, the Finance and Administration department will be informed of the crisis and requested to make funds available for procurement of urgent resources.
5. While relocation services will be in progress, the operations department will fight the laboratory fire so as to prevent any further development.
6. Success to put out the fire will lead us to the next stage: Attending to the people crisis situation. As such, the large population means that there shall be almost twice the normal demand for resources at the school.
7. Through help from the Planning and Logistics department, medical facilities shall be made available to take care of injured students; this shall be done through assistance from the operations and school’s medical departments.
8. As a result of the increased population, beddings shall be sort after through seeking outside help from donors. The liaison officer will help with this task.
9. Arrangements for accommodation shall be made to make the families and children comfortable for the 4-5 days of crisis
10. Food, water, and medical supplies will be made available through emergency funding from the Finance and Administration Department. The cafeteria will be used to serve students while families will be served in the multipurpose hall.
11. All the necessary decisions shall be made by the school commander, in collaboration with other senior members in the school. The operation is expected to run smooth because it is well planned and all resources will be made available in time. Figure 1.0 on the following page shows the Response Command Structure that will be used in operation on the announcement a crisis:

Conclusion

In conclusion, the crisis management plan is expected to run effectively without any shortfalls. This is attributed to the well coordinated response management team that will ensure departments within the command structure work efficiently and in harmony. At the end of the crisis, plans shall be made to restore the conditions to normalcy and assume daily operations.