Role and capacity building of school disaster management team: Issues and insights

Pages: 171-177
Pooja Das and Renu Malaviya (University of Delhi, New Delhi)

This study aimed at identifying the issues and management practices followed in schools for disaster preparedness and prevention by School Disaster Management Team. The study highlights the current practices adopted in the schools of Delhi by the school disaster management team such as the capacity and role of its members, their profiles, preparedness in terms of resources, infrastructure, various equipments and facilities available to tackle sudden disasters such as earthquake, fire and electric faults in the schools. The members play an important role in the dissemination of various information and conducting awareness program, meetings for school safety. Management practices such preparing disaster management plans for the school & evacuation routes, training of teachers, delegation of responsibilities to different teachers are the major roles of the members of disaster management team in a school. It has been found that the school disaster management team is in the planning stages and there is scope for better planning and effective implementation for its execution.