Emergency and Disaster Preparedness of School Administrators: Basis for Strategic Intervention

This study investigated the disaster preparedness practices, resource management, and communication strategies of school administrators in public schools. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study identified key areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in existing safety protocols. The findings revealed a high level of awareness among administrators regarding emergency preparedness, with the highest awareness about school protocols. However, the understanding of how to manage personal stress during actual emergencies scored lower, despite still being rated as high.
Currently implemented preparedness practices primarily focus on integrating drills into operations, clearly communicating protocols to staff, and maintaining documented plans. In terms of resource management, administrators prioritize safety funding highly, yet the sufficiency of manpower to implement protocols was rated only as moderate, indicating a critical gap. Communication mechanisms are well-established through information dissemination, coordination with internal and external stakeholders, and the strategic use of social media.
Based on these findings, the study concludes that while a foundational level of preparedness exists, it is not uniformly robust across all domains, particularly in human resources and stress management. To address these gaps, the study proposes the development and implementation of "Project SAFER Schools (Strengthening Awareness, Focused Response, Engagement, and Resilience in Schools)," a comprehensive intervention program.
This program aims to enhance awareness, strengthen current practices, improve resource generation, and institutionalize unified communication systems. The findings underscore the necessity for a holistic and sustainable approach to fortify school resilience against disasters, moving beyond basic awareness to ensure effective action and resource adequacy during critical incidents.

Administrator Preparedness, Communication Mechanisms, Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Protocols, Intervention Program, Resource Management, School Safety

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