This brochure describes the APELL (Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at the Local Level) process. APELL is a community-based, participatory process designed to create public awareness of hazards and to ensure that communities, and also schools, are adequately prepared to respond. APELL's safe school approach leads to the development of a preparedness plan for the school that can be incorporated into the overall community respose plan. (UNEsCO)