Ensuring the safety and well-being of all students is the top priority, particularly during emergencies such as evacuations. So, what do you do if you can’t find a student during an evacuation? We’ve provided 9 steps below:

1. Act swiftly and decisively.

2. Calmly check with teachers, fellow students, or any available staff members to confirm the last known whereabouts of the missing student.

3. Capture details including the student’s name, physical description, and any unique identifiers or previous behaviours that could assist.

4. Notify the Chief Warden. The Chief Warden will be able to communicate details to the Emergency Control Organisation, who will:

• ensure that the Emergency Services and Security are notified
• enable the Wardens, who will be conducting thorough sweeps of designated areas (including classrooms, bathrooms, common areas, and assembly points) to be aware of the missing student
• assess if further sweeps are required

5. Establish open communication channels to update staff members, students, and any accompanying adults on the search progress, provide clear instructions, and receive guidance on further actions to take

6. Offer support and reassurance to students, staff, and parents who may be distressed by the situation

7. Keep a detailed log of all actions taken during the search, including times, areas searched, and any relevant observations. This documentation can be used for post-incident reviews and in the event of further enquiries

8. Conduct a post-incident review including a thorough review of evacuation procedures and response protocols to enhance preparedness for future emergencies.