Saratoga News
News
Disaster hits local schools, but it's only a drill
By Shannon Burkey
Some came to the triage area with broken bones. Others came looking for treatment of head injuries or with glass in their eyes.
The students of Redwood Middle School and Foothill Elementary School all remained calm as they sought first aid or evacuated their buildings.
Though it may sound like the aftermath of a disaster, it was the scene of a drill intended to prepare students and school officials for the real thing.
"In order to be safe on a campus, you have to be prepared," said Louise Levy, assistant superintendent of the Saratoga Union School District. "I think the way we all feel comfortable in an emergency is to practice."
As students were told to "duck, cover and hold" under their desks following a mock earthquake, Foothill principal Nancy Ondrejka explained what they might be hearing or feeling if the real thing was happening.
"Imagine that you hear a low rumbling or roaring sound. You may even feel a jolt. It could feel to you like someone suddenly slammed on the brakes in the car, or like a truck just hit the side of our building," Ondrejka read over the school's PA system as the drill began.
Then, class by class, teachers and students were put in situations they might face during a real earthquake. Doors were jammed, exits blocked and several students were marked as having injuries.
Once a year the school district, along with members of the Saratoga Fire Department who act as mentors to the school staffs, puts on a disaster simulation drill so students and teachers will know what to expect should a disaster occur.
"The role of the mentors isn't to tell them what to do but to coach them and teach them. Their job is to be supportive, not to direct," Levy said. "This is a real collaborative experience and process that shows how important it is for the community to be working with the schools."
In the event of a disaster, stations such as first aid/triage, search and rescue, accountability and communications would be set up throughout the schools to handle the situations that would arise.
"At schools in particular, a huge deal with any kind of emergency is student accountability," said Jim Yoke, Saratoga's Community Emergency Response Team coordinator. "It's a real skill for school leadership, in an emergency, to effectively account for their students."
Although a real disaster will be more chaotic, it is learning drills such as this that will give school staffs a better understanding of how to make their schools safe and disaster ready. "We feel practice is critical; that's why we do these drills," Levy said.
Yoke said drills are important but should take place at times when students least expect them.
"I was very impressed by the orderliness of it all. The kids seemed to know where to go and what to do, as did the staff," Yoke said, "but they should also consider drills at lunchtime and recess, when things may not be as orderly."
Saratoga Fire District Capt. Bill Morrison said he was impressed with how the children and staff responded.
"Everyone did an excellent job," Morrison said. "It is nice to know the kids are safe if a disaster strikes."
Having firefighters and paramedics on hand to mentor her staff gives Ondrejka peace of mind, she said.
"It's wonderful that there is this collaboration of professional expertise," Ondrejka said. "It was great to get everyone's viewpoint on how to improve."
The school district and the fire department will take their simulation drill to Saratoga and Argonaut elementary schools next to help ensure all Saratoga's youngsters will be prepared.
"You can't have academic success unless you are in a safe environment," Levy said.
