Emergency evacuations are critical operations that require efficient planning, coordination, and execution to ensure the safety and well-being of people affected by disasters. While fire drills are not routine exercises, they play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of individuals in schools and offices when a fire emergency threatens life. These drills raise awareness of fire hazards, familiarise occupants with the evacuation process, and prepare them to respond swiftly and effectively to evacuations in case of emergencies.
One of the primary objectives of fire drills is to ensure that everyone is safe. By conducting regular evacuation exercises, individuals will be more aware of potential fire hazards and learn how to respond by identifying emergency exits and routes of evacuation. Quick and orderly evacuation helps minimise panic and injuries during an actual fire incident; by practising, individuals can evacuate the premises calmly and organise.
Furthermore, fire drills help schools and offices to comply with regulations and standards. Due to legal requirements and building codes, fire drills are mandatory to ensure occupants' safety. Institutions and organisations conduct fire drills to avoid penalties and possible legal consequences while the well-being of their staff and students is prioritised.
Fire drills also contribute to the preparedness and training of group coordination during an emergency. Schools and offices can effectively handle emergencies by practising in groups and reducing potential loss of life and property damages.
In addition, drills can help identify vulnerabilities and room for improvement in emergency routes and plans after repetitive evaluation or trial and error. For instance, according to UNICEF, a tragedy struck the school “Ecole Pays-Bas” in the capital Niamey in Niger on the 13th of April 2021; 21 children died in the fire. The classrooms had been built out of straws and thatched for roofs to hug two walls on each side. The school accommodated 1,250 of the nearly 3,000 students at the time. The lack of proper building materials and overcrowding have a heavy contribution to the tragedy; those problems and risks can be addressed if appropriate financial support and management of the problematic situation are made. Although building materials and finance may not be the problem in well-built cities or countries, our complex building structure has made evacuation routes more complicated and has underlying loopholes or issues. Thus, addressing the shortcomings and necessary amendments can enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of occupants regardless of the location of the premises.
Fire drills must be integrated into schools and offices to create a safety culture. Safety should be fostered as the top priority of an environment; it can be done by instilling a sense of responsibility and preparedness among individuals. Schools and offices must conduct regular fire drills and encourage active participation to safeguard lives and defend against fire-related risks.
Fire Safety Preparedness in Schools in Kenya
The recent fire tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri has brought
to light the critical need for enhanced fire safety measures in Kenyan schools.
Inadequate fire preparedness, poor infrastructure, and insufficient response
mechanisms can lead to devastating consequences, putting the lives of students
and staff at risk.
Schools in Kenya are required to follow the guidelines
outlined in the 2008 Safety Standards Manual for Schools and directives from
the Ministry of Education (MoE) to ensure fire safety preparedness. However,
despite the MoE establishing these measures, many schools remain insufficiently
equipped to effectively respond to fire emergencies.
Risks involved
- Inadequate Fire Drills: Lack of regular fire drills
leaves students and staff unprepared to respond effectively in case of an
emergency.
- Insufficient Fire Extinguishers: Many schools are
ill-equipped with or completely lack fire extinguishers within their premises.
- Poor Building Design: Some schools lack proper
emergency exits, and dormitories often have barred windows, which makes
evacuation difficult in the event of a fire.
- Electrical Faults: Poor wiring and overloading of
electrical systems can spark fires in classrooms or dormitories.
- Congestion: Overcrowded classrooms and dormitories
can hinder evacuation efforts during a fire.
Recommendations
1. Regularise fire drills: Schools should conduct periodic
fire drills i.e. at least twice a term, to ensure students and staff are familiar
with evacuation routes and procedures. They should simulate real-life scenarios
to gauge preparedness levels among students and staff.
2. Install and maintain firefighting equipment: Schools
should install fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and smoke detectors in key
areas such as classrooms, dormitories, and kitchens. Fire extinguishers must be
regularly inspected and replaced if necessary.
3. Emergency exits: School buildings should have clearly
marked and unobstructed emergency exits. Windows should not be barred to allow
easy escape routes during emergencies. Doors should open outward and must not
be locked from the outside while students are inside the buildings. Stairways
should also be wide enough and located at both ends of buildings.
4. All buildings and facilities should be accessible to
learners with special needs.
5. Implement electrical safety measures: Regular inspections
of electrical wiring and systems should be conducted by certified electricians.
Overloading sockets should be avoided, and schools should enforce guidelines on
the proper use of electrical devices.
6. Install fire alarm systems: Schools should be equipped
with fire alarm systems that can quickly alert occupants of any fire incident,
enabling swift evacuation.
7. Reduce congestion: Schools should ensure that dormitories
and classrooms are not overpopulated and that proper space regulations are
followed to allow for easy movement during emergencies. The distance between
beds should be a minimum of 1.2 meters, and the width of corridors or pathways
should be no less than 2 meters. For classrooms, the space between two desks
should be at least 2 feet.
8. Collaborate with local authorities: Schools should
partner with local fire departments and disaster response teams to conduct risk
assessments, provide fire safety training, and create emergency response plans.
They can also assist with incorporating fire safety awareness into the school
curriculum to educate students and staff on basic fire prevention and safety
measures.
Conclusion
Integrating fire preparedness into school safety is crucial for minimizing the risk of catastrophic incidents and safeguarding students and staff. School administrations, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and local fire authorities, must prioritize fire safety and embed it as a core element of their operations.