Students at Beaconsfield Upper Primary School crossed the road as part of the off-site evacuation drill. 74451 Pictures: Stewart ChambersLieutenant Doug Summons timed how long it took for the students to evacuate. fireSAFE_74451_36: Emergency teacher Kerry Hughes checks kids names off in the Pine Grove Hotel car park. 74451
By Emma Sun
BEACONSFIELD Upper Primary School practised three fire drills as part of Bushfire Awareness Week last week.
Staff and students talked about the Emergency Management Plan and took part in an on-site and off-site evacuation and also a lockdown with the help of the Upper Beaconsfield CFA and Senior Sergeant Graham Higginbotham from the Pakenham Police Station.
School principal Nick Karanzoulis said the drills were run very smoothly.
“Taking the children from here to the Pine Grove Hotel car park, we were there within five minutes and checking for all the kids was done within two minutes so within nine minutes, we were good.”
He said it was important for the children to learn about fire drills and to know the process of an evacuation.
“The preparation that takes place in the classroom, like educating the children about various emergencies and drills, meant they were well versed in the procedures and they were calm,” Mr Karanzoulis said.
“We also had personnel from the bushfire education unit who took every grade through an emergency situation and told them how they should respond in any emergency, especially in a bushfire situation.”
He said the week wouldn’t have been possible without the generous help of the Upper Beaconsfield CFA and Sen Sgt Higginbotham.
“We’re grateful to Graham and all the members of the fire brigade for their work in supporting our school.”
