Emergency Preparedness: Natural and Human-Generated Disasters

Hypothetical Tornado Disaster
The setting is an Early Childhood Pre-Kindergarten Program. The facility currently has sixty students enrolled. Children ages range from early three year-olds to late four year-olds. The ten full-time employees are facility director, curriculum director, three teachers, two teacher assistants, two cooks and one facility maintenance staff member.
The facility is housed in an independently standing building, on a main street, within a line of commercial properties. This particular location of the city has been noted as a repeated path that tornados travel during tornado season. The likelihood of the facility being affected by a natural disaster is relatively high, posing a risk for children and adults alike.
The facility director immediately put an Emergency Plan of Action in place. Using a Daycare Facility Disaster Planning Guide, prepared by the Bureau of Plans; Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (August 2003), everyone on staff was assigned a response role. These roles included responsibilities like emergency contact person, first –aid person and building security.
Children can be taught preparedness also. They can be assigned roles like getting blankets, emergency- kits, and non-perishable foods. A child can also be taught about what causes the disasters and develop abilities to help care for themselves if needed.
Other roles identified in the plan include parents. Emergency plan members can include parents for input in plan designs. It is also good for parents to be familiar and understand the plans at their child’s center. Community- helpers, like firemen, police, hospitals and churches are included for additional emergency resources outside the facility.
The American Red Cross encourages teaching preparedness in the classroom. Instructing students what to do in the event of an emergency can help save lives at school and at home (American Red Cross). There are three steps recommended for preparedness, an easy to carry kit with basic supplies like water, food, flashlight, radios and extra batteries. Second, make a plan that includes important information about where you will go, and what route you will take. Third, be informed about what disasters are likely in your area, and what the emergency procedures are for your community.

Hypothetical Fire Disaster
This is an in-home childcare service for infants and toddlers, ages six weeks to thirty- six months. There are two adults that work full-time with the twelve children. One adult is the homeowner and the other a paid assistant.
To assess the risk of a fire disaster the homeowner uses a checklist provided by the Red Cross. This Fire Prevention and Safety checklist include check-off item like smoke and carbon monoxide alarm operations and fire escape plans. Fire drills are scheduled to practice getting all of the children out of the house safely.
In case of a fire emergency, each worker has an assigned response role. The owner is responsible for gathering emergency contact records for the children, first aid kit, and emergency kit. The assistant cares for and accounts for the children. Family members are provided with information about emergency re-locations and numbers during orientation. After the children have all been safely relocated the owner starts to contact parents to let them know that their children are safe.


Cited References
National Child Care Information Center: Emergency Preparedness(2003). Retrieved October 13, 2009, from http://www.nccic.acf.hhs.gov/emergency


American Red Cross: Daycare Facilities emergency Planning Guide. Retrieved, October 12, 2009, from http:// www.redcross.org