Develop a cross-school strategy to prepare for a disaster. Hold a series of meetings to address this issue, developing a mission statement. Allocate one person to communicate all information to all members of staff. Invite representatives of the parent-teacher association to be involved in this strategy. Approach this area from two distinct angles. Ensure that evacuation and response policies are in place, and prepare the children in class for the eventuality of a disaster.
Hold regular evacuation practices. Review after each practice, and rectify any problems. Have clear policies for communication and a procedure to follow when the alarm is raised. Each school will have particular priorities, depending on the area; for instance, you may be situated in an area where floods regularly occur. Your location will influence your strategy and policies. Involve the local rescue services, by asking their advice and inviting them to speak to the children.
Infuse disaster preparedness into the curriculum. This is more effective and less scary than holding special sessions. Teach the children about natural disasters in science and geography. If the children understand what happens, in the case of an earthquake, for instance, they will probably be a little less frightened of the preparation drills. Teach children about kindness and responsibility to others. Discuss the importance of effective communication in English and citizenship.