Earthquakes and Schools The Importance of Damage Prevention and Earthquake Education in Schools By Stephanie Perkins

Topics for Discussion Explain the effects of a damaging earthquake on a school Examples of major earthquakes that have had a serious impact on schools Steps that can be taken to mitigate damage and injury

Effects of a Damaging Earthquake Primary concern about buildings surviving an earthquake is structural integrity Buildings that are not sturdy enough to withstand the shaking are in danger of collapse.

Effects of a Damaging Earthquake

Other earthquake dangers Falling Objects Light fixtures, ceiling fans Bookshelves Broken Glass Broken gas lines, electric lines, water mains etc.

Examples of Earthquake Damage in Schools 12 May 2008: Sichuan, China 6 April 2009: L ’ Aquila, Italy

Sichuan, China 12 May 2008, 2:28 pm 7.9 M W Important Statistics: >69,000 deaths >18,000 missing >370,000 injured $20 billion in damages

Sichuan Earthquake Major impact on schools 11,687 schools need to be rebuilt 2,000 + other schools in need of serious repair Impact felt throughout society Chinese “ one-child ” law Example of Beichuan Township Two school buildings collapsed, killing 1,300 students and 40 teachers  over 40% of the town ’ s population

What went wrong in China Shoddy construction Poor materials Lack of proper reinforcement Delay in dispatching relief efforts

Sichuan Earthquake Propaganda Machine at work 9-year-old Lin Hao pulled two of his classmates out of the rubble Rewarded by leading the Chinese delegation in the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Lessons from Sichuan Earthquake Necessity of good construction materials, not just good design Necessity of quick response

L ’ Aquila, Italy 6 April 2009, 3:32 am 6.3 M W Important Statistics >260 Deaths >1000 Injured $530 million in damage Several schools among collapsed buildings

L ’ Aquila Earthquake Many schools among collapsed buildings Later discovered that 22,000 public schools in Italy were considered unsafe based on construction regulations. Days after earthquake, schools reopened in tents

Lessons from L ’ Aquila Earthquake Necessity of inspection and action Importance of routine Reopening schools in tents as soon as possible

Why is this Important? Minimize loss of life and injury Minimize psychological effects on children Emotionally, children ’ s lives are especially valued

Prevention First: Structurally sound buildings “ Because schools are funded with public money, schools house the children of the electorate, [and] legislative statutes require children to attend schools … it was believed that the legislators … would support legislation requiring public school buildings to be constructed earthquake resistive. ”

Prevention California Field Act First passed in 1933 following the Long Beach Earthquake All schools replacing those damaged in the earthquake must now be earthquake resistant Amended to include retrofitting existing structures Later additions and modifications now apply to all schools, kindergarten through community college level

Prevention Preparation is a key to preventing injury Safety Drills Discussion about what to expect during and after an earthquake

What Have We Learned? Earthquakes can seriously damage schools structurally and have an affect those inside the building. It is fairly simple to take steps that will have a major impact after an earthquake. Schools must be a priority in disaster planning.

Questions?