Section 2: Emergency Preparedness: Natural and Human-Generated Disasters
Marilyn Dorrough
EDUC-1005-1 Child, Health, Safety and Nutrition
Walden University
March 16, 2012
Dr. Erin Eissler
Week 2 Assignment 2
Many dangers and or disasters can occur in a matter of seconds you can never be totally prepared for disasters that are out of your control. Such as that of the disaster of 911 that changed our lives forever. In many ways what that disaster of 911 did for some of us was to bring us in reality with what could happen in a matter of seconds and allowed us to be a bit more prepared for dangers and disasters of that magnitude.
In the area of the country where I live we deal with different types of weather depending on the seasons. This year in Michigan the winter has been extremely mild which brings about a concern for how the remainder of the year will play out. With the temperature in Michigan soaring to breaking temperatures (72%) on Thursday March 14, 2012 it only stands to reason that the weather conditions were right for a storm. We had a tornado that hit Michigan hard that day.
Some parts of the state was hit worse than others of the cities that was hit the hardest was that of Dexter Michigan where over one-hundred homes were leveled after a tornado with winds of 135-140 miles per hour a possible EF-3tornado swept through that town leaving much devastation along the way. “What the amazing part of that disaster was there were no casualties, said Michelle Murray (2012), whose home in Dexter’s tornado-ravaged Huron Farms subdivision was structurally twisted and may have to be demolished”.
In the wake of that devastating storm that took place in the city of Dexter Thursday evening during rush hour parents rushing home from work trying to arrive at the childcare facilities to retrieved their children and make it home safely before the tornado hit in their areas sirens had been sounded fifteen minute before the tornado struck the city not allowing much time to prepare for the disaster.
Week 2 Assignment 2
Because the weather conditions can change so drastically it is paramount that you have a plan in place for each disaster before such disasters occur; teachers must be prepared to protect children and keep them safe at any cost. Knowing the proper areas in which are safe to stay during weather related condition is important mostly depending on the type of weather conditions some schools have basements where teachers and children are directed to go for cover during tornados others have been told to get in closets and under table to protect themselves from the dangers of glass and or other dangerous debris. In this part of the world we never expected to have earthquakes but have had a few with-in the last few years so we have added earthquakes to our evacuation plans. Having to discuss places out-side to safely remove the children.
Having and following evacuation plans save lives knowing and practicing the drill beforehand allows teacher to be prepared when such disaster occur. Being able to move the children quickly and safely making sure all children are counted for will result in less accidents and or loss of life.
Because children are constantly being picked up and dropped off at childcare centers it is vital that the attendance records remain up-to-date allowing all children to be counted for at all times parents having to sign the children in- and -out upon the children’s arrival as well as picking them up is not enough; adopting a policy where-as not only parents sign when the child is picked up or dropped off but also the caregiver needs to sign the children in-and-out making sure that all childcare providers are always aware of how many children are in their care at all times. Being prepared for a disaster will not help us if we are unaware of how many children are in our care and if during evacuation one is left behind due to lack of proper counting.
Week 2 Assignment 2
Children need to be physically counted upon parents dropping them off, if and when there is any form of transition such as taking them out-side removing them or allowing them to go visit other classrooms in the building anytime the child is removed from the care of the provider counting should occur. There is never an excuse for the teachers not to know the number of children in their care.
Having as some schools refer to as a Universal precaution kits (UP kits) and ready- made emergency bags in place with children’s emergency cards, food, water, blankets, diapers, wipes, first aid-kits and things of that nature are readily available it cuts down on the confusion of panicking during times when you have to be calm. Being capable of contacting parents during times of disasters is very important during enrollment times of students’ parents should be giving the designated place and evacuation route in which children will be removed if and when a disaster occur. Teachers have been trained for (CPR and First Aid) and need to be prepared to perform such tasks if need and should encourage parents to become certified as well.
Having moved all the children into a safe place and making them as comfortable as possible making sure all traces of bad weather has been resolved before returning the children to the classroom teachers should assess the situation making sure all equipment and structures of the building are safe before returning the children back into the building.
As for preparing for natural disasters we as adults must use common sense “you will know that when you hear thunder you must move children inside immediately, even before it rains” (Lay, 2001).
Week 2 Assignment 2
Coping with natural disasters and trying to explain to children why they occur is challenging but being honest is the best policy and making them aware of the many dangers can sometime mean a matter of life and death. So education and readiness is the key in helping to prevent injuries and death during natural disasters.
Once a disaster happens preparing is not what we need to do we have to be prepared before disaster happens particularly when working with young children who depend on us for their survival human-generated disasters such as an angry stranger or parent comes into the childcare facility armed and dangerous the first thing to do would be to call 911. Gather all children in a safe place of the childcare center if have locks are on door lock all children and staff members in room if able to vacate the building do so safely. Calder (2007) “if someone comes into the facility and is armed, the first thing to do is call for help. This means call 911 or call out the code word or sentence so that someone else can call 911”.
We as educators are responsible for the safety of children that are left in our care and being prepared for dangerous and disasters even beyond our control have to be accounted for. Daycare centers around the world have be victimized through gun violence caused by parents as well as strangers shooting up daycare and childcare centers reasons known by only those who commit such crimes. Marty (2011) reports” that restrictions are still being fought against where gun violence is concerned “South Carolina legislators are pushing to allow guns everywhere even in childcare centers”.
Developing and implementing plans for any and all dangers and disasters is a tedious job yet it must take place with hopes of saving lives of innocent children and staff members.
Week 2 Assignment 2
Precautions such as locked and coded door upon entering the childcare center are extremely necessary and prevent strangers from walking into the childcare center un-announced. Having been prepared for acts of human-generated disasters the same rules apply as in that of natural disaster the children are of the up-most importance and moving them to safety having the emergency cards and materials needed to care for them through-out this time of disaster is essential. Parents need to feel confident that during this time their children are being cared for in the best possible way; calling and assuring parents of the well-being and the designations of their children needs to take place as soon as the children are safe.
Children are to be kept as calm as possibly by having certain plans in place it gives the teachers the opportunity to focus on caring for the children and assuring the parents upon arrival that the children have been calm and safe.
Because gun violence is running rampant in schools, childcare centers and even churches where children are being taught we must take nothing for granted and being prepared for any and everything humanly possible is evident. As adults we must take seriously consideration in debating legislature of constitutional rights concerning gun violence.
Gun violence is real and scary through-out the world and children being exposed to violence are no secret yet we as adults must try to the best of our ability to control the exposer of violence towards our young children keeping them safe from harm. Parents and childcare providers must also limit the amount of media/television and conversation of violent topics to a minimum when caring for young children.
Week 2 Assignment 2
References
Calder (2007) Safety, Nutrition, and Health in Early Education 4th Edition Retrieved
March 17, 2012 from course text book
Lay (2010) Safety, Nutrition, and Health in Early Education 4th Edition Retrieved
March 16, 2012 from course text book
Marty, R (2011) 30 Years after Brady is Shot, South Carolina pushes for guns in Daycare
Retrieved March 17, 2012 from Google Website
Murray, M (2012) Miracle in Michigan: No life lost in terrifying twisters, homes, property
damaged, but residents thankful to be safe: Retrieved March 17, 2012 from The
Detroit News
