{ "_metadata": { "source": "https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Policy/ViewPolicy.aspx?S=36030397&revid=PIgiN4QusbVycDEYBYnazQ==", "scrapedAt": "2026-05-24T20:11:49.868Z", "method": "Playwright + Simbli ViewPolicy API scraper" }, "code": "3516.3", "title": "Earthquake Emergency Procedure System", "type": "AR", "section": "3000", "lastRevised": "11/04/2009", "lastReviewed": "11/04/2009", "hasAttachment": false, "revid": "PIgiN4QusbVycDEYBYnazQ==", "contentHtml": "\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n

Earthquake Preparedness

\n\n

Earthquake emergency procedures shall be established in every school building having an occupant capacity of 50 or more students, or more than one classroom, and shall be incorporated into the comprehensive school safety plan. (Education Code 32282)

\n\n

Earthquake emergency procedures shall be aligned with the Standardized Emergency Management System and the National Incident Management System. (Government Code 8607; 19 CCR 2400-2450)

\n\n

Earthquake emergency procedures shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (Education Code 32282)

\n\n
    \n\t
  1. A school building disaster plan, ready for implementation at any time, for maintaining the safety and care of students and staff
    \n\t 
    2. \n\t
  2. A drop procedure whereby each student and staff member takes cover under a table or desk, dropping to his/her knees, with the head protected by the arms and the back to the windows
    \n\t
    \n\tDrop procedures shall be practiced at least once each school quarter in elementary schools and at least once each semester in secondary schools.
    \n\t 
    3. \n\t
  3. Protective measures to be taken before, during, and following an earthquake
    \n\t 
    4. \n\t
  4. A program to ensure that students and staff are aware of and properly trained in the earthquake emergency procedure system
    5. \n
\n\n

The Superintendent or designee may work with the California Office of Emergency Services and the Seismic Safety Commission to develop and establish the earthquake emergency procedures. (Education Code 32282)

\n\n

Earthquake emergency procedures shall outline the roles and responsibilities of students and staff during and after an earthquake.

\n\n

Staff and students shall be informed of the dangers to expect in an earthquake and procedures to be followed. Students shall be instructed to remain silent and follow directions given by staff in such an emergency. Staff and students also shall be taught safety precautions to take if they are in the open or on the way to or from school when an earthquake occurs.

\n\n

Earthquake emergency procedures shall designate outside areas and alternative areas, which may include areas off campus if necessary, in which students will assemble following evacuation. In designating such areas, the Superintendent or designee shall consider potential post-earthquake hazards outside school buildings including, but not limited to, power lines, trees, covered walkways, chain link fences that may be an electric shock hazard, and areas near buildings that may have debris.

\n\n

Earthquake emergency procedures shall designate evacuation routes and alternative routes that avoid areas with potential hazards to the extent possible. The needs of students with disabilities shall be considered when planning evacuation routes.

\n\n

The Superintendent or designee shall identify potential earthquake hazards in classrooms and other district facilities. Potential hazards may include, but are not limited to, areas where the main gas supply or electric current enters the building, suspended ceilings, pendant light fixtures, large windows, stairwells, science laboratories, storage areas for hazardous materials, shop areas, and unsecured furniture and equipment. To the extent possible, such shall be minimized by securing equipment and furnishings and removing heavy objects from high shelves.

\n\n

Earthquake While Indoors at School

\n\n

When an earthquake occurs, the following actions shall be taken inside buildings and classrooms:

\n\n
    \n\t
  1. Staff shall have students perform the drop procedure. Students should stay in the drop position until the emergency is over or until further instructions are given.
    \n\t 
    2. \n\t
  2. In laboratories, burners should be extinguished if possible before taking cover.
    \n\t 
    3. \n\t
  3. As soon as possible, staff shall move students away from windows, shelves, and heavy objects and furniture that may fall.
    \n\t 
    4. \n\t
  4. After the earthquake, the principal or designee shall determine whether planned evacuation routes and assembly areas are safe and shall communicate with teachers and other staff.
    \n\t 
    5. \n\t
  5. When directed by the principal or designee to evacuate, or if classrooms or other facilities present dangerous hazards that require immediate evacuation, staff shall account for all students under their supervision and have the students evacuate the building in an orderly manner.
    6. \n
\n\n

Earthquake While Outdoors on School Grounds

\n\n

When an earthquake occurs, the following actions shall be taken by staff or other persons in authority who are outdoors on school grounds:

\n\n
    \n\t
  1. Staff shall direct students to walk away from buildings, trees, overhead power lines, power poles, or exposed wires.
    \n\t 
    2. \n\t
  2. Staff shall have students perform the drop procedure.
    \n\t 
    3. \n\t
  3. Staff shall have students stay in the open until the earthquake is over or until further directions are given.
    4. \n
\n\n

Earthquake While on the Bus

\n\n

If students are on the school bus when an earthquake occurs, the bus driver shall take proper precautions to ensure student safety. The driver shall pull to the side of the road, away from any outside hazards if possible, and turn off the ignition. As soon as possible, the driver shall contact the Superintendent or designee for instructions before proceeding on the route.

\n\n

Subsequent Emergency Procedures

\n\n

After the earthquake has subsided, the following actions shall be taken:

\n\n
    \n\t
  1. Staff shall provide assistance to any injured students, take roll, and report missing students to the principal or designee.
    \n\t 
    2. \n\t
  2. Staff and students shall not light any stoves or burners until the area is declared safe by appropriate authorities.
    \n\t 
    3. \n\t
  3. All buildings shall be inspected for water and gas leaks, electrical breakages, and large cracks or earth slippage affecting buildings.
    \n\t 
    4. \n\t
  4. The principal or designee shall post staff at a safe distance from all building entrances and instruct staff and students to not reenter until the buildings are declared safe.
    \n\t 
    5. \n\t
  5. The principal or designee shall request assistance as needed from the county or city civil defense office, fire and police departments, city and county building inspectors, and utility companies and shall confer with them regarding the advisability of closing the school.
    \n\t 
    6. \n\t
  6. The principal or designee shall contact the Superintendent or designee and request further instructions after assessing the earthquake damage.
    7. \n
\n\n\n", "contentText": "Earthquake Preparedness\n\nEarthquake emergency procedures shall be established in every school building having an occupant capacity of 50 or more students, or more than one classroom, and shall be incorporated into the comprehensive school safety plan. (Education Code 32282)\n\nEarthquake emergency procedures shall be aligned with the Standardized Emergency Management System and the National Incident Management System. (Government Code 8607; 19 CCR 2400-2450)\n\nEarthquake emergency procedures shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (Education Code 32282)\n\n- A school building disaster plan, ready for implementation at any time, for maintaining the safety and care of students and staff\n\n- A drop procedure whereby each student and staff member takes cover under a table or desk, dropping to his/her knees, with the head protected by the arms and the back to the windows\n\n\tDrop procedures shall be practiced at least once each school quarter in elementary schools and at least once each semester in secondary schools.\n\n- Protective measures to be taken before, during, and following an earthquake\n\n- A program to ensure that students and staff are aware of and properly trained in the earthquake emergency procedure system\n\nThe Superintendent or designee may work with the California Office of Emergency Services and the Seismic Safety Commission to develop and establish the earthquake emergency procedures. (Education Code 32282)\n\nEarthquake emergency procedures shall outline the roles and responsibilities of students and staff during and after an earthquake.\n\nStaff and students shall be informed of the dangers to expect in an earthquake and procedures to be followed. Students shall be instructed to remain silent and follow directions given by staff in such an emergency. Staff and students also shall be taught safety precautions to take if they are in the open or on the way to or from school when an earthquake occurs.\n\nEarthquake emergency procedures shall designate outside areas and alternative areas, which may include areas off campus if necessary, in which students will assemble following evacuation. In designating such areas, the Superintendent or designee shall consider potential post-earthquake hazards outside school buildings including, but not limited to, power lines, trees, covered walkways, chain link fences that may be an electric shock hazard, and areas near buildings that may have debris.\n\nEarthquake emergency procedures shall designate evacuation routes and alternative routes that avoid areas with potential hazards to the extent possible. The needs of students with disabilities shall be considered when planning evacuation routes.\n\nThe Superintendent or designee shall identify potential earthquake hazards in classrooms and other district facilities. Potential hazards may include, but are not limited to, areas where the main gas supply or electric current enters the building, suspended ceilings, pendant light fixtures, large windows, stairwells, science laboratories, storage areas for hazardous materials, shop areas, and unsecured furniture and equipment. To the extent possible, such shall be minimized by securing equipment and furnishings and removing heavy objects from high shelves.\n\nEarthquake While Indoors at School\n\nWhen an earthquake occurs, the following actions shall be taken inside buildings and classrooms:\n\n- Staff shall have students perform the drop procedure. Students should stay in the drop position until the emergency is over or until further instructions are given.\n\n- In laboratories, burners should be extinguished if possible before taking cover.\n\n- As soon as possible, staff shall move students away from windows, shelves, and heavy objects and furniture that may fall.\n\n- After the earthquake, the principal or designee shall determine whether planned evacuation routes and assembly areas are safe and shall communicate with teachers and other staff.\n\n- When directed by the principal or designee to evacuate, or if classrooms or other facilities present dangerous hazards that require immediate evacuation, staff shall account for all students under their supervision and have the students evacuate the building in an orderly manner.\n\nEarthquake While Outdoors on School Grounds\n\nWhen an earthquake occurs, the following actions shall be taken by staff or other persons in authority who are outdoors on school grounds:\n\n- Staff shall direct students to walk away from buildings, trees, overhead power lines, power poles, or exposed wires.\n\n- Staff shall have students perform the drop procedure.\n\n- Staff shall have students stay in the open until the earthquake is over or until further directions are given.\n\nEarthquake While on the Bus\n\nIf students are on the school bus when an earthquake occurs, the bus driver shall take proper precautions to ensure student safety. The driver shall pull to the side of the road, away from any outside hazards if possible, and turn off the ignition. As soon as possible, the driver shall contact the Superintendent or designee for instructions before proceeding on the route.\n\nSubsequent Emergency Procedures\n\nAfter the earthquake has subsided, the following actions shall be taken:\n\n- Staff shall provide assistance to any injured students, take roll, and report missing students to the principal or designee.\n\n- Staff and students shall not light any stoves or burners until the area is declared safe by appropriate authorities.\n\n- All buildings shall be inspected for water and gas leaks, electrical breakages, and large cracks or earth slippage affecting buildings.\n\n- The principal or designee shall post staff at a safe distance from all building entrances and instruct staff and students to not reenter until the buildings are declared safe.\n\n- The principal or designee shall request assistance as needed from the county or city civil defense office, fire and police departments, city and county building inspectors, and utility companies and shall confer with them regarding the advisability of closing the school.\n\n- The principal or designee shall contact the Superintendent or designee and request further instructions after assessing the earthquake damage.", "footnotes": [ { "type": "State", "references": [ { "code": "19 CCR 2400-2450", "description": "Standardized Emergency Management System", "url": "" }, { "code": "Ed. Code 32280-32289.5", "description": "School safety plans", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=EDC&division=1.&title=1.&part=19.&chapter=2.5.&article=5." }, { "code": "Gov. Code 3100", "description": "Public employees as disaster service workers", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=3100." }, { "code": "Gov. Code 8607", "description": "Standardized Emergency Management System", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=8607." } ] }, { "type": "Management Resources", "references": [ { "code": "Cal OES Publication", "description": "School Emergency Response: Using SEMS at Districts and Sites, June 1998", "url": "" }, { "code": "Cal OES Publication", "description": "School Emergency Response: Using SEMS at Districts and Sites, June 1998", "url": "" }, { "code": "Cal OES Publication", "description": "The ABCs of Post-Earthquake Evacuation: A Checklist for School Administrators and Faculty", "url": "" }, { "code": "Cal OES Publication", "description": "Guide and Checklist for Nonstructural Earthquake Hazards in California Schools, January 2003", "url": "" }, { "code": "Federal Emergency Management Agency Publication", "description": "National Incident Management System, 3rd ed., October 2017", "url": "https://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is700b/handouts/national_incident_management%20system_third%20edition_october_2017.pdf" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services", "url": "https://legalservices.csba.org/" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "American Red Cross", "url": "http://www.redcross.org" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "California Governor's Office of Emergency Services", "url": "http://www.caloes.ca.gov" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "California Seismic Safety Commission", "url": "http://www.seismic.ca.gov" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "Federal Emergency Management Agency", "url": "http://www.fema.gov/hazards/earthquakes" } ] } ], "crossRefs": [ { "code": "0450", "title": "Comprehensive Safety Plan", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "0450", "title": "Comprehensive Safety Plan", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1112", "title": "Media Relations", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "3514", "title": "Environmental Safety", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "3514", "title": "Environmental Safety", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "3516", "title": "Emergencies And Disaster Preparedness Plan", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "3516", "title": "Emergencies And Disaster Preparedness Plan", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "3543", "title": "Transportation Safety And Emergencies", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "4131", "title": "Staff Development", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "4131", "title": "Staff Development", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "4231", "title": "Staff Development", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "4331", "title": "Staff Development", "type": "AR" } ], "attachments": [] }