1. PRESTON UNIVERSITY
Current condition of
schools
Earthquake, Terrorism and Fire
Muhammad Umer Aziz
30-Apr-15
Currentconditionof schoolstorespondEarthquake,Terroristattacksandfire.Whatstepsare
alreadyinplace and whatsteps are still needstobe taken(recommendations).

2. Reg# 1458-314107 MuhammadUmer AzizM.sc (OHS.M)
Current Condition
Currentconditionof schoolstorespondtoEarthquake,terrorismandfire isnotsatisfactory.
Although,some schoolsandcollegeshave theirsecurityplansbutdue tolackof awarenessand
negligencethose plansare noteffective.
OwingtorecentterroristactivityinPeshawar,leadthe governmentandeducationaldepartmentsto
prepare themselvesagainstterrorism, sofew stepsweretakentomitigate orpreventthistype of
activityinfuture.
1) Increase the heightof Schoolsandcollegeswalls.
2) Iron cable withspikestobe fittedonwalls.
3) Necessarytohave securityguardwithmetal detector.
4) Educatingand givingtrainingtoteacherswithguns.
5) Educatingthe staff to instruct studentshow torespondif terroristsbreakin.
6) Activatingthe securityagenciesanddepartmentstoeradicate terroristsfrommost
vulnerable areas.
Although, some private schoolshave takensecuritymeasures.Theyhiredsecurityguardsandmade
some rulesforvisitorsandpickand dropservice providers.Also,theyputbarriersonentrance point.
No noticeablestepsare beingseentorespondtonatural disastersandfire,whichcandrastically
affectschoolsbuildings,staff andpupil.Asitwasobserved in2005 earthquake inPakistan,almost
19000 childrenwere died,thatwere buriedunderbuildingsmostlyschool buildings.
Due to reactive approachof mostof the departments,noproactive measuresare beingtakeninthis
regard. Thiscan leadto an antagonisticsituation,andadisasterrattlesthese departmentstotake
initiative.
Schoolsbuildingsare neithersafe,northeyhave evacuationplans.Also,structural diagramsare not
available.Owingtothe fact that,no trainingprogramsare initiated inthisregard, school/college
staff isunaware of the comingdanger.
There are noparticularlegislationstodeal withthese hazardsinschool/colleges.Schoolshave no
warningsystemorinadequate warningsystems.Coordinationbetweenschoolsandsecurity/safety/
rescue departmentsisfeebleorscarce.
Most of the schoolsespeciallyGovernmentschoolshave noproperinfrastructure.Theyhave no
emergencyexitpathway.
In Conclusion,thereare novisible actionscanbe seeninschools/collegestodeal withthese
catastropheseffectively.

3. Reg# 1458-314107 MuhammadUmer AzizM.sc (OHS.M)
Recommendations
Earthquake:
1. Inclusion ofNatural Disasters topics in curriculum.
2. Giving training to teachers,to instruct students how to react/respond when a particular
disaster strike.
3. Awarenessand information programs/ seminars must be arranged/conductedby local
government, to raisecommunity’s awareness regarding to disasters as well as other
catastropheincluding terrorism.
4. Making sure enforcementofbuilding codes.
5. Demolishing ofexpired buildings by implosion.
6. Make sure not to construct school buildings on or near fault line.
7. Developing EOCs (mobile EOCs) near schools and colleges.
8. Make sure that every school has proper emergency plans like evacuation plans.
9. Make sure that multi-story buildings have maps ofevacuation routes and structural diagrams.
10. Making communication system better.
11. Coordination between schools, security departments and reliefagencies.
12. Build capacity by either by preventing or mitigating disasterimpacts. Also, by preparation to
respond effectively when the disaster strikes.
T errorism:
1. Securities cameras must be installed at enter and exit points.
2. Walls must have good height and iron thorn above them.
3. Entrance only on showing valid I.Dcard.
4. Walkthrough gates (metal detectors).
5. Security guards must be equipped with latestweapons and metal detectors.
6. Make sure the security devices which are being usedare not faulty.
7. There must be security guard for night-watch to avoid any undesirable event.
8. Security guards must be hired from some credible organization, with full time training.
9. Must have complete information ofhired staff.
10. Proper checking ofschool building,and places that aremorelikely to be used by terrorists.
11. Giving training to school staffto fight against terrorists by using lethal weapons. These
weapons must be stored in secureplace within the school vicinity.
12. Emergency numbers must be displayed at every corner, so that no one need to rush to note
number from a particular place in case ofemergency.
13. Placing barriers and setting up check points.
14. No parking zone near schools, setting up single line to pick and drop pupil and staffmembers.
15. Positioning guards at places where most cover is provided and most area can be observed.
Like rooftop.

4. Reg# 1458-314107 MuhammadUmer AzizM.sc (OHS.M)
Fire:
1. Installation offire alarms.
2. Fire risk assessment for every school.
3. Use ofbest electric wires in wiring.
4. Other sources ofignition must be removed ifpossible or isolatethem by making partition.
5. If petrol or diesel is storedfor generator, install sign board “No Smoking”. Or prohibit
smoking in school.
6. Installation ofsprinkler system.
7. Installation offire extinguishers,and educating pupilshow to operate, In caseofemergency.
8. Educating students and entirestaffabout types offire and particularextinguisher to put -off
fire.
9. Electronic systems must be introduced, so that iffire breaks in some school, the fire brigade
departmentget informed immediately either by an alarm or indicator. Same must be applied
in case ofterrorist attack.
10. Installation ofmotors, ifpossible, in schools/colleges to draw water to extinguish fire in
immediate response.
11. Communication with powerSupply Company is very important to cut offpower supply
immediately,to carry out the aboveaction.Otherwise,secondary risks like electric shocks
may arise that may lead to electrocution.
12. Fire safety course must be included in the syllabus,so that teachers, as well as student get
benefit and can also overcome fire, ifit breaks in.
13. Proper inspection ofschools/ colleges must be done in case an incident has happened, that
might weaken the building structure. For instance, due to heatfrom fire, building structure
becomes feeble to withstand earthquake or other catastrophe.