The proposal removes the requirement to have at least two civilian firefighters on duty per shift at every school and provides for preventive measures tailored to the risk, size and location of each school, as well as the characteristics of its building. The change is part of a text approved by the Education Committee of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies for public and private basic education schools.
The rules seek to protect school communities from fires, natural disasters, accidents, medical emergencies and violence. The rapporteur, Deputy Nely Aquino, added that the rules for accidents and disasters do not replace the prevention of and response to school attacks. She also reinforced the requirement for basic emergency response training at children’s recreation facilities.
The bill provides for basic education schools to be classified as areas of strategic priority in disaster prevention. It will still be reviewed by the Finance and Taxation Committee and the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee. To become law, it must be approved by the Chamber and the Senate.
