As part of our crisis management plan, we have been and will continue to conduct
earthquake drills over the months to come. These drills are designed to prepare all
students and adults to react quickly and in an orderly and safe manner during the onset of an emergency.
Based on the recommendations of all the leading crisis management agencies and in
consultation with our structural engineers, we are instructing students to follow the
“Drop, Cover and Hold On” procedure while at school.
Based on a study of the ground on which the school is constructed, and in accordance
with what the leading crisis management agencies say, it is more likely for injuries to
occur during an earthquake from objects falling down around them rather than from a
total collapse of the building. However, we urge that for responses at home, you
determine what is most appropriate based on your surroundings, ground studies, types of construction, among other factors.
DROP, COVER AND HOLD PROCEDURES
Protect Yourself During an Earthquake…Drop, Cover, and Hold On!
- DROP down onto your hands and knees (before the earthquakes knocks you down). This position protects you from falling but allows you to still move if necessary.
- COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, only then should you get down near an interior wall (or next to low-lying furniture that won’t fall on you), and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
- HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.
Once it is safe to move, students will be instructed to evacuate the building using the
routes that have been studied and practiced. They will assemble in a predetermined
assembly area and await further instructions from school personnel.
If an earthquake occurs while outside of buildings, adults and students are encouraged to move to open spaces away from buildings, trees and exposed wires and to drop to the ground and cover their heads and the back of their necks with their arms.
If you have questions or suggestions you are welcome to send an email to
acoordinator@tas.edu.do. We also encourage you to view the information on the
following link for further guidance.
http://www.ready.gov/earthquakes
Sincerely,
Ashton School
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