Emergency Training and Drills

Vancouver Formosa Academy will carry out the following drills:

• Fire drills are held at least six times each school year.
• Earthquake drills are held at least three times each school year.
• Lockdown drills are held at least two times each school year.

Prior to carrying out specific drills, all students and staff will be educated about the nature of emergencies and the need for implementing procedures to respond to them effectively. Classroom discussion will include knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of all parties as well as understanding the overarching goals of the process. 

Drills will include variations such as taking alternate routes in the event that a usual route cannot be used. Other variations could include situations where students are not in the classroom, i.e., during lunch or class changes.

Off-Site Activities Students and staff may not always be on school property when an emergency occurs. There may be times when school is in session but students and staff may be out of the building eg. lunch breaks, PE classes or field trips. events. School plans will provide for guidance in the event of the need for response during school sponsored events that take place off school property.

Emergency Drill Procedures

Fire Drill Procedures

**Fire Bell Rings** (or you see or smell fire in the building)

1. Students stand up.
2. Close windows if easily possible.
3. Students line up at door quietly and exit the room after the teacher.
4. Last student out closes the door.
5. Students and teacher quietly exit the building through the nearest exit door.
6. Teachers take attendance once outside the building.
7. Teacher sends one student to report to the principal (or if the principal is not present, to the registrar) in front of the school. In the evening, the student should report to the front office desk staff.
   Student says, “Class (   ) -All present” or  “Class (   ) – X   student missing”
8. When the bell rings 2 times, the teachers and students may re-enter the building.

Notes:

• Students who are out of the classroom (in the hallway, washroom etc.) should exit the school and report to their classroom teacher. They should not return to the class. High school students on study block exit the school and report to the Principal.

Earthquake Drill Procedures

       “EARTHQUAKE!” is called (or you feel an earthquake)

1. Teachers call “DROP!”
2. Teachers and students assume cover position:
   Move to inside walls or under a STRONG table, away from tall furniture.
   Put backs to the window
   Drop to knees and crouch down
   Clasp hands behind neck
   Cover ears and face with arms, close eyes
3. Wait at least 60 seconds after the shaking has stopped
4. Teachers call “All Clear!”
5. Class lines up at door quietly
6. Class exits the school quietly through nearest exit door. (Teachers bring class list)
7. Class walks quickly and quietly to the park. Stay away from any wires.
8. Students stand in class groups quietly. Teachers take attendance
9. Teacher sends one student to report to the principal (or if the principal is not present: the registrar) in front of the school. In the evening, the student should report to the front office desk staff.
   Student says, “Class (   ) – All present” or   “Class (   )- X student  missing”
10. At “Return to School” signal, teachers and students re-enter school.

Notes:

• Students who are out of the classroom (in the hallway, washroom etc.) should take cover as above. On the ALL CLEAR announcement, they should exit the school and report to their classroom teacher. They should not return to their class.
• High school students on study block should take cover as above. On the ALL CLEAR announcement, they should exit the school and report to Mrs. Tajiri, Principal.

Lockdown Drill Procedures

Lockdown procedures are used to secure the school in the event of threats inside or outside of the school.

In the event that lockdown procedures are required:

1. Principal or designate calls “Lockdown-All Rooms Now!” or holds a “Lockdown” sign to the door window..
2. Principal or designate calls 9-1-1 if required
3. Principal or front office staff will lock the front door if appropriate
4. On hearing the command, all students and staff immediately report to the nearest room.
5. Staff members:
   – lock classroom doors, turn off lights
   – keep themselves and students away from windows and doors
   – cover the door window if possible, close blinds if possible
   – create cover by moving furniture if possible
   – stay our of sight if possible
   – all persons should remain silent and put cell phones on silent
6. Students in the washroom should get into a stall, lock it and keep hands and feet from being visible
7. Students that are outside shall:
   – if the disturbance is outside, try to move into the school safely
   – if the disturbance is inside, stay outside and move to a place where it seems safe.
8. DO NOT respond to anyone at the door until “Code Green-1989” is announced.

• In the case that the principal is not present or available, staff may initiate lockdown themselves in a critical emergency, such as the sound of gunfire or the sighting of a weapon. In that case, staff should contact 9-1-1 by cell phone. A lockdown may also come from a police order.

Partial Lockdown Procedures

Partial lockdown procedures are required if an incident on the street is deemed threatening and students must remain in the building. It may also be used in the case of a non-threatening disturbance such as a medical emergency in the school or outside.

In the case of a “partial lockdown”, staff should keep students in the room and away from all windows until the “all clear is sounded”. The front door may be locked if appropriate.

No circumstance is predictable. Common sense should prevail in all situations

Emergency Plan

Vancouver Formosa Academy will refer to these procedures in the case of a major emergency (eg. fire, major earthquake or other natural disaster).

VFA High School Student Release Plan

1. In the case of a major emergency necessitating student  release, student guardians will be contacted by:
   – telephone- home and cell
   – text message
   – email if possible
   – by student cell phone if necessary
2. VFA High School students under 19 years old will only be released to the following:
   – parent
   – homestay parent
   – local guardian
3.  Parents and guardians will be required to sign a release form, attached, including, name, contact info, signature, time.
4. Reunification Areas:
   – Primary Site – Front of School
   – Secondary Site – Earles Park

Vancouver Formosa Academy Emergency Communications Plan

1. First Responders:
   The Principal will maintain communication with first responders during an incident. Transfer of command will occur when first responders arrive on the scene to assume management of the incident under their jurisdiction.
2. Media
   The Principal will act as spokesperson with the media.
3. Communication with Parents:
   This will be done immediately following a critical incident. They will be contacted by:
   – telephone- home and cell
   – text message
   – email if possible
   – by student cell phone if necessary
4. Communication within the school site:
   As we are a small school, this can be done:
   – orally
   – by passed written message
   – through megaphone announcements
   – through text messages- in the case of lockdown

Vancouver Formosa Academy Continuity of Operations Plan

1. Vancouver Formosa Academy will restore critical systems and the learning environment as soon as possible.
2. Information that is needed to continue the work of the staff and student learning, even if school resumes at an alternate site, will be available digitally, backed up, and stored on a remote server.

Vancouver Formosa Academy Emergency Equipment and Supplies

1.  All documentation including current student and staff and volunteer lists with contact information, medical information, and special considerations is kept on paper, on hard drives and online for access by handheld devices
2. Vancouver Formosa Academy maintains an up-to date first aid kit, kept in the Staff Room and marked on the school map.
3. Vancouver Formosa Academy keeps available enough water to for staff and student use for several days.