I just got a copy of the "Emergency Procedures" that one of my daughter's preschool uses. This preschool is located on a university campus in a laboratory school. It says:

Emergency Procedures

Emergency plans for fire and tornado shall be written and posted by each main classroom door. Emergency plan procedures shall be practiced at least once a month for fire and for tornado.

For other emergencies, such as flood, earthquake or power failure, the staff will inform parents as quickly as possible so that they can pick up their children from the Center or evacuation site.

In the case of evacuation of the Center, staff and children will be located at the (Name of nearby dorm) Hall Rec. Room, #1

Revised 4-8-97

I would be interested in any and all opinions about the effectiveness of the plan as stated above.

Each classroom has a "fanny" pack with minor first aid gear, parent phone numbers, and a cell phone.

Pros and cons would be appreciated.

Thanks all!

What happens in a non evacuation emergency that prevents a parent from picking up their child? Any plans to take care of the kids until someone can get there?

It would be worthwhile for you, if accessible, to review the actual “emergency plans for fire and tornado…posted by each main classroom door.” Sounds like that’s different document than the “emergency procedures” you’ve posted here.

“Revised 4-8-97” suggests that the procedures and plan haven’t been reviewed and revised in over 8 years. That would be cause for concern. Lots of things change in 8 years: school staffing (preschool, university and laboratory); philosophy towards emergency response; resources; disaster-specific risks. Annual reviews would be more prudent.

Depending on nature of disaster, the classroom’s cell phone may not function (as we were reminded on Gulf Coast).

Looks like they’ve decided that flood, earthquake or power failure are unlikely, or wouldn’t pose extreme hazard. Playing devil’s advocate…New Madrid Fault produced strongest earthquakes in the country for period ~1800-1900. Iowa would be impacted by New Madrid quake of 6.5.

Ors,

This is exactly how I start each of my discussions with coworkers or neighbors who have kids...

"What will the school do with your kids in the event of (place emergency here).

This notice on the door says that at one time the school discussed some of the scenarios, but this is not a plan. I would definately follow up with the preschool administrator to see what the actual plans are and if there is any training etc to carry those plans out. How often the plan is reviewed or practiced is important too.

This plan incorporated into your family plan is the beginning.

Every time we drill in my emergency communications group, we find that a plan has holes or bugs and needs revising or more training. A school and families need to do the same.

Our local elementary school emergency plans overview:

Each classroom has a daypack first-aid kit. Each room has Rubbermaid type container with "comfort kits" for each child. The parents are responsible to put together a basic kit in a 1 gallon zip lock bag (water, snacks, photos, letters, flashlight etc). In an emergency the teacher dons the first-aid back pack and drags the rubbermaid container outside the door, a short distance from the building. The rubbermaid container is left there unless needed.

All employees and students go to the play ground and face away from the school. The students are in single file lines by classroom. An inventory is made to be sure that everyone is out of the building. Outside all or the schools are large freight type containers filled with water food and other emergency supplies if needed.

The school staff has two-way radios to communicate with each other and the district office. Each school has detailed plans for each type of emergency (It exists, but I don’t know all the details). These plans can range from earthquakes, to gunman in school, to bears on school grounds.

The office staff has lists of what to do with each child in an emergency. The parents sign a form requesting their preference.
1. The child can wait at school for a parent to pick up. The child cannot be released without the parent signing the student out.
2. If busses are available, and the parents have approved this method of going home, the kids will be bussed home.
3. The parents can pre-approve another adult to pick up their child.

I hope this of some help to you.

TR

pizzaman:

Wow, you must live in a area prone to disasters. I don't think in Florida there is any plans like that! That's a school that has it's act together.

Good questions to ask your school: What are the plans? How often do you practice them? If my child(ren) get moved from the school, where will they go & how long will they have adult supervision?

The idea is both for you to find out and to get those in charge thinking about helping the 100-1500 kids in an emergency.

( another good question -- does your school have a weather alert radio in the main office & is it plagged in?)

I teach school and that is more than our school has and we are in the earthquake zone. All schools in Arkansas are required to have "Crisis response" emergency plans. some schools are better than others. Some even post all scenarios on internet (including terrorism/shooter on campus) which I don't think is very smart.

Hmmm... Let's see.... We live between the Juan de Fuca super fault and a little volcano named Mt. Rainier (a dear sister to Mt. St. Helens). We are probably in the gun site of some hulking asteroid as well. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

What on earth was I thinking moving here? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

TR (Living in the next New Orleans?)

Great responses!

I felt the plan was sorely inadequate, but comments here have reminded me of some things. For instance, this plan, last reviewed in 1997 was before Columbine, 9/11, more recently Katrina/Rita.

My dear wife saw me typing the original post and told me I was obsessed, and that their plan was good enough. I asked, "So what are they going to do when they have a non-specific bomb threat to the campus? The threat is made, but the location given is 'somewhere' on the campus. What are they going to do then?" She replied, "well, they'll get some buses and get the kids out of there."

My response, "Where will they get the buses from? Don't you think the buses that the school district uses will be occupied getting the kids in the lab school out?" I added, "Look what happened in NO...all those retirement homes had plans to evac including contracted buses, but they were all the same companies and not enough buses to go around!"

She shook her head and walked away.

She may think I'm crazy, but I'm going to pursue this further, using some of the ideas y'all have posted.

Keep 'em coming! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

And regarding the New Madrid fault...I had a teacher in high school that sold insurance on the side and we all thought he was crazy to carry earthquake insurance...but that fault might be coming due any time now...maybe not so crazy!