In order to adequately prepare for a natural disaster, child care professionals need to first do research and find out the history of the weather in the area for the past 100 years. Also they would need to find out the hazards that are typical in that area. This information can be found on the American Red Cross’s website. The next step would require professionals to develop an outline for each hazard found present in the area. The outline should include questions like: how often does the hazard occur, Is it seasonal, how fast might it occur, or where is it likely to happen? The third step would be to put together the information gathered as to risk for each hazard and then look to the child care environment for answers to possible consequences should that hazard occur. The last step would be to think about possible scenarios for the risk that have been found. What would the impact of each hazard be, and how would we deal with it?
Child care professionals should write a comprehensive written plan with procedures to be followed when an internal or external disaster occurs. The first step in writing the plan is assessment of the hazards in the facility and its county, region or metropolitan area. The hazard assessment should include: Evaluation of the building and site, including inspection of the grounds; evaluation of the surrounding area in terms of vegetation, buildings or activities which may be potential hazards; Evaluation of the community and region; Consider how vulnerable the facility is to terrorists or other potential acts of violence. Training and drills are essential to having an effective response in times of an emergency. Pre-emergency training for each staff member with an emergency duty should develop awareness in all staff members of potential hazards and what measures to take to protect life and property.
Scenario 1- Location: Tallahassee, Florida. Tallahassee is known for having severe Thunderstorms during the summer months. Certain areas in Tallahassee flood due to poor drainage systems in the neighborhood. Tiny Tots Day Care is located in the Callen neighborhood. Typically when it rains, there is a high chance of flooding. After four hours of heavy steady rainfall, the entire area is submerged with water making it difficult for anyone to enter the neighborhood. Tiny Tots serves about thirty families. The disaster makes it difficult for parents to be reunited with their children. Most of the children range from ages 0-3. This disaster could pose several threats due to the thunderstorm. The children can drown as a result of the flood. The severe weather could cause a loss of electricity. The loss of electricity can affect air conditioning, and refrigeration of food. The lack of refrigeration could put the food that is stored in the freezer or refrigerator at risk for growing bacteria that could cause illness.
In order to respond adequately to flooding caused by severe thunderstorms, child care professionals should monitor the weather by using a weather radio or a local radio/TV station for public warnings when weather conditions indicate. The onset of most floods is a relatively slow process with the buildup taking several days. All staff should know safe evacuation routes to official shelters. During a severe thunderstorm warning, or during periods of particularly high winds, keep children away from glass. Every facility should also establish a manually operated backup warning system. During the watch, store portable equipment and outdoor furniture inside the facility away from shelter areas. Selected staff members should be trained as severe weather watchers and know how to use the facility's warning and communication system.
If a flood warning has been issued, the proper response would be to evacuate children to shelters, and shut off water so contaminated water will not back up into facility supplies. Transportation for all children and staff will be needed to the shelter. All parents should be informed of the relocation to the shelter. Accountability procedures should be established to ensure that all children and staff are safe at the relocation facility. All children need to be supervised until their parents can come to the new location for them.
Scenario 2- The Growing Room is a day care facility that provides day care services for college students who are parents. The Growing Room makes it possible for students to finish their education without having to worry about childcare. The Growing Room is located on the first floor of the education building at a local University. During the morning hours, the daycare cook left the kitchen without checking to make sure that the oven is completely turned off. A small towel left on the stove catches fire and burns quickly. The fire begins to spread quickly. The building has six floors. This type of emergency calls for quick response in order to protect the lives of children, students and faculty.
To prepare for this disaster child care professionals should ensure that the alarm system is in good working order. Staff members and children should be familiar with the location and operation of alarms and extinguishers. All equipment including extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and fire doors should be regularly maintained in accordance with State and municipal ordinances. All staff should be thoroughly trained in the differences in the types of fires such as electrical, oil, and chemical. They should also be aware of the various materials and equipment available to combat each type of fire, including commonly available substances and materials such as baking soda, sand, water soaked blankets. Evacuation plans should be designed to evacuate the facility as quickly and safely as possible. Evacuation plans should be given to all new staff members when hired; it should be displayed by fire exits; and be provided to parents on facility tours. The teacher should provide written information to parents that explains about evacuation procedures, a safe place to meet, and how the early education environment will respond to emergencies.
When a fire is discovered, an alarm should be sounded immediately, and then staff should gather the children in an orderly fashion and proceed to evacuate the building immediately, using the building evacuation plan. Evacuation should be conducted in orderly lines; no running and quietly with no talking to minimize confusion and allow for changes in orders to be heard. After occupants are safe, the fire department should be notified without delay. Staff should have a list of every student in their care, a roll call should be given before evacuation and after in order to make sure that every child is accounted for.
References
Day Care Facilities Emergency Planning Guide. (n.d.).
Robertson, C. (2007). Safety, Nutirtion & Health in Early Education (3rd ed.). Delmar Cengage Learning.
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