Disaster Response Experts Warn Schools Are Underprepared

Oct 21, 2008 11:45 AM

All schools have disaster plans, but very few of their staff members have the knowledge or training to carry them out successfully. In the event of a true emergency, teachers and school leaders will have to make many decisions quickly. Wrong decisions could cost lives and property says Survival Skills & Co., a company that just released its "Disaster Response Guide." Using this guide, the company says schools can take proven, proactive steps to prepare and respond properly for disaster and crisis situations.

"No one likes to think about how natural disasters or even a human-caused crisis such as Columbine will play out, but the last thing a school wants is to be ill-prepared and lack the ability to respond appropriately," says Wayne Bennett, owner of Survival Skills & Co. "The 'Disaster Response Guide' is the key to their success in regard to how they handle such critical situations. It's designed specifically for schools and their staff, providing clear definitive steps empowering them with the knowledge and confidence to rescue children."

The step-by-step guide covers topics such as light urban search and rescue, triage and disaster first aid, fire control, lifesaving skills and more. Nearly 20 illustrations provide examples of the latest techniques and strategies for civilian rescuers. Those who incorporate the guide into staff trainings have the reassurance of knowing they're prepared for the worst, but equipped with the best, when it comes to emergency response.

"[Schools] in America should incorporate the 'Disaster Response Guide,' " Bennett says. "Time and time again, we've heard how schools have benefited from the addition of our guide to their emergency kits. This is a way for schools to take those preventative measures, and we're excited to offer this lifesaving resource in form of a no-nonsense, highly professional guide."

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