Sri Bestari puts safety first
SRI Bestari Private School has been organising its Annual Fire Drill with the Fire and Rescue Department for many years as it believes that “practice makes perfect”.
This allows the school to be wellprepared in the case of any emergencies.
The school’s Emergency Rescue Team (ERT) comprising teachers and staff are always on their toes with two fire drill exercises being carried out every year, which is the recommended best practice.
Early in the year, the element of surprise was used to test the internal evacuation procedures and the readiness of the ERT to respond.
The second fire drill later in the year involves the Fire and Rescue Department. Real bonfires are set up for a live demonstration by the department and the ERT Fire Team.
Opportunity for teachers and staff to practise using the fire extinguishers to put out fires under the tutelage of the Fire and Rescue Department personnel is also in place. Part of the fire drill encompasses the Search and Rescue Team (SAR), and the various Floor Wardens, Evacuation Controllers, Incident Controllers and Medic Team putting their skills to test.
The report prepared by historians highlights the achievement of each fire drill exercise in terms of accuracy and speed of communication, response time and adhering to the proper line of authority during an emergency situation.
A fire drill exercise gives an opportunity for students to be aware that in any emergency situation staying focused and avoiding panic attacks are crucial for one’s safety and survival as well as that of their family members and friends.
Secondly, it is for them to understand what they need to do during the evacuation process.
An assembly area is made known to all and there will always be a designated gathering spot during such emergencies where attendance and head counts could quickly be carried out to determine missing people for the Fire and Rescue Department and the SAR Team to respond.
For the school, it gets a live opportunity to test its alarm system, fire equipment and ensure its emergency exits are unobstructed at all times.
The school’s fire maintenance personnel are on standby to detect any areas of weakness needing improvement post-fire drill.
Children must be taught to appreciate the efforts and sacrifices made by our nation’s emergency and rescue teams such as the Fire and Rescue Department, Police and Ambulance personnel who continue in their efforts to keep us safe despite being faced with much challenges, ever increasing demands of the job and hardships at times.
Visit the Sri Bestari Private School Info Day on Oct 6 from 9.00am – 1.00pm to find out more on Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary Programmes.
Apart from the Info Day, there will also be a Pre-Deepavali celebration.