EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (#2)

Emergency Preparedness: Natural and Human-Generated Disasters

Earthquake and Fire disasters are disasters that are next to impossible to be aware of but preparing for them can be accomplished. South Texas experiences earthquakes on a weekly basis, they are just weak enough we do not suffer the repercussions from them, but it is better to be aware and prepared than lost and in danger.

In a daycare center located in South Texas, it is not likely to be devastated by an earthquake, but there is always that possibility. Fire, on the other hand, is likely in any instance of any establishment, especially one that utilizes a kitchen for food service. The center houses forty pre-school age children and a staff of six. The staff includes teachers and cooks.

Staff must be prepared always.  Monthly, the staff must be involved in an intensive meeting to discuss the possibilities of natural and man-made disasters, the type of natural and man-made disasters that can occur and the necessary procedures for handling the disasters, including an evacuation plan for children and staff.  Specific responsibilities during a disaster must be given to each staff member, as it is necessary to maintain a needed calmness so not to worry and overly excite the children. Preparedness must include posted maps for evacuation on designated walls and regularly scheduled earthquake and fire drills to keep the children aware of procedures for their own safety.

Role-playing helps prepare children to act in unsafe or dangerous situations. It is a preventive tool that allows children to be better equipped in a real emergency. Drills for fires, earthquakes, and other types of disasters must be practiced on a regular basis.

The preparation of the staff includes an easy and portable list of parents and their contact phone numbers. The emergency forms should be accurate, current, copied, and ready for a fast response by being in a fireproof file. (Robertson, 2016)

Phone numbers for needed safety departments such as the fire department, police department and ambulance in case 911 is unattainable. The list must also include a medication list for the children that must ingest medication for health reasons as prescribed by a physician, any equipment for any special needs children, and a daily list showing morning and afternoon attendance of students in the class.

It is also wise to carry and maintain a safety bag near the emergency exit that includes a flashlight and extra batteries, battery-powered radio, candles, and an emergency cell phone or walkie-talkie, water bottle, first aid supplies.

All staff and children must be aware of the procedures of where to go in case of an emergency, depending on the disaster at hand. Awareness would include practicing a drill and making sure that the drill practice is acceptable of a timeline necessary for the staff and children’s safety. Once a month is acceptable for drill practice, but each drill must be practiced individually because each disaster is treated differently. For instance, fire disasters require evacuation of the premises to a safety zone. (Roszak, 2016) An earthquake disaster would require the staff and children to remain in the building and getting under a sturdy desk and covering their heads for protection until all signs of danger are gone. (FEMA, 006)

There is always a possibility of complications during a natural and man-made disaster. By being prepared and preparing the staff and children, injuries can be avoided, and lives can be saved. The staff must be aware that complications can involve falling debris, fallen power lines, broken gas lines, closed roads, burns, broken and sprained limbs and a shortage of food and water.

References

FEMA. (006, April). Earthquake Preparedness What Every Child Care Provider Needs to Know. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1452-20490-2572/fema-240.pdf

Robertson, C. (2016). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education (6th ed.). Boston, MA:       Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.

Roszak, A. (2016, October 14). Getting Serious About Fire Safety. Retrieved from Health and Safety, Preparedness, Safety: https://usa.childcareaware.org/2016/10/getting-serious-about-fire-safety/