Earthquake Emergency Procedures - Governing Boards - CA Education

Section § 35295

This section points out that California is likely to experience earthquakes in the future, and to lessen risks, it encourages efforts to reduce earthquake hazards. It stresses the need for earthquake emergency plans in private elementary and high schools to ensure that students and staff know how to respond properly during an earthquake. The aim is to have a procedural system in place across all private schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(a) Because of the generally acknowledged fact that California will experience moderate to severe earthquakes in the foreseeable future, increased efforts to reduce earthquake hazards should be encouraged and supported.

(b) In order to minimize loss of life and disruption, it is necessary for all private elementary schools and high schools to develop school disaster plans and specifically an earthquake emergency procedure system so that pupils and staff will act instinctively and correctly when an earthquake disaster strikes.

(c) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature in enacting this article to authorize the establishment of earthquake emergency procedure systems in kindergarten and grades 1 through 12 in all private schools in California.

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(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 895, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2005.)

Section § 35296

This law requires that private schools with 50 or more students or more than one classroom must create an emergency plan for earthquakes. These schools' governing boards can collaborate with the Office of Emergency Services and the Seismic Safety Commission to develop these plans.

The governing board of each private school shall establish an earthquake emergency procedure system in every private school building under its jurisdiction having an occupant capacity of 50 or more pupils or more than one classroom. A governing board may work with the Office of Emergency Services and the Seismic Safety Commission to develop and establish the earthquake emergency procedure systems.

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(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 71. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

Section § 35297

This law requires schools to have an earthquake emergency plan to keep students and staff safe. This plan should include a disaster plan for the building, a 'drop procedure' where everyone takes cover under desks during an earthquake, and protective actions to take before, during, and after an earthquake. Additionally, the law mandates regular drills and training programs so that all students and staff know the procedures and what to do in case of an earthquake.

The earthquake emergency procedure system shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(a) A school building disaster plan, ready for implementation at any time, for maintaining the safety and care of students and staffs.

(b) A drop procedure. As used in this article, “drop procedure” means an activity whereby each student and staff member takes cover under a table or desk, dropping to his or her knees, with the head protected by the arms, and the back to the windows. A drop procedure practice shall be held at least once each school quarter in elementary schools and at least once a semester in secondary schools.

(d) A program to ensure that the students and that both the certificated and classified staff are aware of, and properly trained in, the earthquake emergency procedure system.

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(Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 448, Sec. 1.)