last month we looked at evacuating the family during emergencies like a Hurricane. But what if disaster strikes during the daytime when the kids are at school?
Mass emergency events include fire, chemical spill, tornado, bomb threat, school intruder, and terrorists. With today's technology, your child may text you about a danger at school before the school responds. What would you do?
Sept 4
With the start of a new school year, do you have copies of the school's emergency plan? During emergencies parents rush to pick up their kids but this blocks the road for emergency vehicles and creates confusion as the school attempts an orderly response. Your school may bus or walk the children to a predetermined safe location outside the danger area. Do you know where that location is?
Sept 11
If an emergency occurs at your child's school, how will the principal contact you? Will there be an email or a phone message sent to your home? Will the school also contact work phone numbers, work email, and cell phones? Do not call the school during a mass incident. They need the lines open to communicate with emergency responders.
Sept 18
In case of an emergency, who is allowed to pick up your child at school? For the child's safety, schools may require everyone to show ID (including parents) and require advance written permission for other named adults. Have you registered a trusted neighbor, babysitter, and/or relatives for authorized pick up?
Sept 25
In the aftermath of a school tragedy, children may experience fears of the future, have difficulty sleeping, become physically ill and be easily distracted. Will your school provide mental health counseling following a crisis? Will it provide special guidance to help victims re-enter the school environment?
We pray your schools never have to use their emergency plan. But make sure everyone knows the plan just in case.
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