Students were taught to evacuate themselves if they were caught in fire at a national-level fire and evacuation drill organised by the Fire and Rescue Services personnel of Tuticorin.
The students, who ‘survived’ the fire in the drill conducted on the premises of Subbiah Vidyalayam Girls’ Higher Secondary School here on Wednesday, were exposed to essential safety tips.
After witnessing the ‘accidental fire’ in a classroom, Fire Management Committee of the school rang the fire alarm continuously and fire tenders were also called. Those present in the school ran to an emergency assembling point in an open place sans trees and buildings.
Fire brigade led by E. Balasubramanian, Divisional Fire Officer, doused the flames and the fire was brought under control. Apart from the fire brigade numbering 37 personnel, nine teams, including search and rescue, first aid, transport and site safety, were also involved in the 15-minute exercise. After taking attendance at the assembling point, six students were found missing.
Subsequently, volunteers spotted them lying ‘bleeding’ on the ground.
First aid was administered to the ‘victims’ by a team. An ambulance of the Fire and Rescue Services department, ‘108’ ambulance and a private ambulance reached the spot.
The ‘victims’ were rushed to a near-by hospital.
Headmistress M.S. Santhiny Kawsel, Tuticorin Station Fire Officer C. Shanmugam, staff members and students witnessed the drill.
