The Plan Particulier de Mise en Sécurité (PPMS) is a mandatory scheme within all schools(circular n°2015-205 of November 25, 2015).
Kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and high schools are all involved in this process, which is designed to protect against external risks.
What is this mandatory safety plan? What are its objectives, and how do you implement it at your facility? Here’s everything you need to know about the PPMS.
What is the PPMS?
The aim of the PPMS is to implement an internal organization within a school to ensure the safety of people in the event of a major accident outside the school.
A major external event is an event of natural, technological or human origin likely to cause serious damage to people, property and the environment. Examples include storms, floods, toxic clouds and intruders.
The head of the school is responsible for drawing up the safety plan, with the help of an internal or external working group. Once the PPMS has been drawn up, it is presented to the school council, the board of directors and the health and safety committee – if one exists.
The PPMS must be known by all staff, parents and students, as well as by the relevant authorities (mayor, education authority, inspector and local council).
What’s the point of PPMS?
The particular safety plan aims to implement a precise organization to ensure the safety of students and staff until the end of the alert or the arrival of emergency services. Its purpose is to determine :
- When and how to trigger the alert?
- Where and how to keep students and staff safe?
- How do you communicate with the outside world?
- What are the emergency procedures to be followed when an alert is issued?
- What documents and resources are essential?
The PPMS also defines the school’s containment areas and crisis management procedures while waiting for emergency services.
What does the PPMS contain?
The safety plan includes the following details of the security process.
Triggering the alert
The national alert signal must be broadcast on the orders of the authorities, or on the initiative of the school principal. The alert must also be accompanied by an internal accident alert via the PPMS system (voice, bell, siren).
Instructions for use
The staff in charge go to their assigned posts and apply the pre-determined instructions, while the others supervise the pupils and ensure that the operation runs smoothly. Students and visitors, meanwhile, are taken to the areas specified in the PPMS.
Finally, responsible personnel should listen to public service radio (France Inter, France Bleu, RFO) for official information in the event of widespread external danger.
PPMS material
The safety plan requires precise signage and equipment to manage the various possible scenarios:
- PPMS containment first-aid kit present at each containment site, containing a first-aid kit with everything you need (compresses, bandages, scissors, etc.).
- PPMS signage: green signs or stickers to guide students and staff to the designated containment areas.
- PPMS siren: to sound the alarm.
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