Wyoming Emergency Preparedness Plan for Child Care Facilities

Wyoming Emergency Preparedness Plan for Child Care FacilitiesEMERGENCY PREPAREDNESSINTRODUCTION Purpose3SAFETY CONSIDERATIONSCritical Phone Numbers4Training and Education5Drills:6Blizzard7Bomb Threat7Chemical Spills/Hazardous Materials 8 Earthquake8Emergency Medical Conditions 9Evacuation 10Fire 11Flood 12Intruder/Dangerous Person 12Landslide or Mudflow 13Lockdown 14Missing Child 14 Abducted Child 15 Power Outage 15Severe Storm/Tornado/Shelter-in-Place 17Windstorm/Microbursts/Strong Winds 17Hazard Mitigation 18Survival Kit 19Bomb Threat Call Information sheet 21Fire Plan example 22Example Fire Escape Plan 23Disaster Drill Record 24Sources and References 25 PurposeThe purpose of an Emergency Preparedness Plan is to facilitate discussion, to provoke thought and preplanning, to better prepare you for the necessary response in ANY emergency situation and to ensure the safety of the children, staff, visitors, or volunteers.This plan will touch on a few emergency situations that may occur in Wyoming. (i.e., fire, flood, severe weather, hazardous materials, abduction, bomb threat and intruder.) The procedures and principles discussed in this guide is no more than common sense responses and you will need to use your own judgment to determine how complex your preparedness plan needs to be. In addition to having a plan, implementation and evacuation drills are a necessary piece to ensure success in executing the plan at the time of an actual emergency. All facilities are required to conduct a monthly evacuation drill and document the results of the drill. It is recommended all other emergency preparedness drills are conducted at appropriate times during the year. All drills should be conducted with the intent to become better prepared, to learn something more, what needs to be accomplished, and to plan accordingly for additional concerns. Always document any evacuation drills conducted. The plans should be reviewed every three months.All facilities shall document the number of occupants in the building at all times, this should include: children, staff, volunteers, and visitors. The director/provider of the facility is responsible for making the decision whether the children, staff, volunteers, and visitors should be evacuated from the building. When considering an evacuation, the director/provider should base their evacuation decision on the evidence of an emergency presented. The director/provider should ask themselves; ARE WE SAFER WHERE WE ARE OR DO WE NEED TO MOVE (Evacuate)? Critical Phone Numbers Police9-1-1 Fire/EMS9-1-1 Poison Control 1-800-222-1222 Non-Emergency for Fire/Police _ _ Electric/Gas Company:_ Water/Sewer:_ Director/Emergency Contact: _ Child Care Licensor:_ Fire Marshal:_ Sanitation Inspector:_ Emergency Management:_ Other:_ Planned Evacuation Sites:o Off site: _ _o On site: _ Radio Stations: _ _ Local contact Information: _ _ Staff Phone Numbers: _ _ _ _ _ _ _Training and EducationAn essential part of any emergency preparedness plan is the training of staff and conducting drills. All staff should receive training in the following:Fire extinguishers are located:_.Is staff trained in the use of fire extinguishers? _Yes _No Date of last training_.o Evacuation plan, procedures at assembly, and escape routes.o Emergency preparedness plan.o Fire prevention.o Fire or dispatch notification of the emergency.o Notification of an emergency to all occupants in the building.o Personal roles and responsibilities in an emergency.o Utilities location and shut off of utilities.o Individuals assigned to maintenance, housekeeping and monitoring the amount of fuel hazard sources in the facility.o Accounting for occupants after evacuation.o Reducing potential hazards in the facility.o Location of required documents to take during an emergency evacuation.o Contingency plans in case you cant reoccupy the facility.o Established communication plan with parents in case of an emergency.o Procedure for releasing the children during an emergency.Parents should be advised of the facilitys emergency preparedness plans and reminded to update their childrens files every few months.The children, staff, visitors, volunteers, and parents should be made aware of the emergency notification procedures while in the facility. In the event of a fire, the alarm is triggered, how will you alert the occupants in the building to other emergencies? DrillsWyoming Child Care Licensing Rules require all licensed facilities to conduct one (1) evacuation drill per month. The purpose of drills is to provide the staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to respond to an actual emergency situation. Although it is not required to perform emergency preparedness drills for severe weather, earthquakes, lockdowns, bomb threats or any other emergency situation, it is highly recommended.What are your plans in the event of a: Fire Earthquake Blizzard Tornado or other severe weather Flood Intruder/dangerous person Bomb threat Hazardous material exposure Power outage Missing or abducted childv Do you have a predetermined secondary location where you will evacuate the children to if you no longer can use your building?v Has that predetermined secondary location been preapproved by Fire, Sanitation, and Licensing? v Do you have supplies at the secondary location? (See the survival kit for primary and secondary locations on page 18 and 19.)Blizzardv Monitor the local radio station or television for closure information.v Notify parents to pick up children in the event the facility will be closing.v Ensure walkways are cleared of snow for parents leaving the facility.v Follow the Power outage plan if needed.Bomb Threatv Check caller ID if available.v Signal to another staff member to call 9-1-1.v Before you hang up, get as much information as you can and write it down! (See page 21 for a call information sheet) Ask the caller: Where is the bomb? When is it going to explode? What will cause the bomb to explode? What does the bomb look like? What kind of bomb is it? When did you place the bomb?Note the following: Exact time of call Exact words of the caller Callers voice characteristics (tone, male/female, young/old, etc.) Background noisev Avoid touching any suspicious packages or objects. (pipes, propane tanks, etc.)v Avoid running or anything that would cause vibrations in the building.v Avoid use of cell phones and 2-way radios.v Evacuate if necessary for the safety of staff, children, volunteers, and visitors.v Calmly exit the building.Chemical Spills/Hazardous Materialsv Contact Emergency Management or the Fire Department as part of your planning process to find out what is already planned for the community.v Listen to the radio or television for information.v In-place sheltering: o To reduce air drawn in from outside, close the windows, vents, and fireplace dampers and turn off the A/C or heat and fans.o Keep a radio with you at all times.o Move to a sealed room. Close off all non-essential rooms such as storage areas, laundry rooms and unused bedrooms.o Seal gaps under doorways and windows with wet towels or plastic and duct tape.o Evacuate if told to do so.v Outdoors: o Stay upwind and uphill from the disaster. o Move at least a a mile away or as far away as possible.v In a vehicle:o Get away from the accident site.o Close your windows and shut off vents.Earthquakev In-place sheltering:o Quickly move away from windows, unsecured tall furniture, and heavy appliances.o Everyone DUCK, COVER, and HOLD. DUCK to the floor COVER your head and neck with arms and take cover under heavy furniture or against an internal wall. HOLD ON to furniture if under it and hold position until shaking stops.o Keep talking to the children in a calm manner until it is safe to move.o Do not attempt to run or attempt to leave the building while the shaking is occurring.v Outdoors: o Move to a clear area, far away from glass, brick and power lines.o DUCK AND COVER.v After the earthquakeo Account for all children, staff, and visitors.o Check for injuries and administer first aid as necessary. o Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies.o Expect aftershocks.o Determine if an evacuation is necessary and if the outside areas are safe.o Escort the children to a designated meeting spot outside and account for all children, staff, and visitors.o If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, shut off the main gas valve at the meter outside of the building. (This might require a tool like a wrench to shut the valve off.)o Monitor the radio for information and emergency instructions.o Do not use the phone except for emergency needs.o Remain outside of the building until it has been inspected for re-entry.Emergency Medical Conditionsv Below are some examples of conditions that are considered serious medical emergencies requiring immediate medical care by a health care professional. Call an ambulance and then notify the childs parent immediately for any of the following.o Semi consciousness (able to arouse but extremely lethargic) or unusual confusiono Breathing difficulties including: Rapid, noisy breathing (barking, gurgling or severe wheezing) Labored breathing (takes so much effort that the child cannot talk, cry, drink, or play)o Severe bleeding (cannot be controlled with direct pressure)o Unequal pupilso First-time seizure or seizure lasting more than 15 minutes in a child with a known seizure disordero Injury that causes loss of consciousnesso Neck or back injuryo Continuous clear drainage from the nose or ears after a blow to the heado Non-injury related severe headache, stiff neck or neck pain when the head is movedo Hives that appear quickly and involves the face, lips, tongue, and/or necko An ill child that continues to get worse quicklyo An infant under the age of four months that has repeated forceful vomitingo Severe abdominal pain that causes the child to double up and screamo Abdominal pain without vomiting or diarrhea after a recent blow to the abdomen or hard fallo Possible broken bones, especially if the child shows symptoms of shock or the body part cannot be adequately splinted or immobilized for transport by the parent.Evacuationv Stay tuned to a radio or television for information on evacuation routes, temporary shelters, and procedures.v Follow the routes recommended by the authorities- shortcuts may not be safe. Leave at once. v Move children to the predetermined location, taking:o Attendance sheetso Emergency contact informationo First Aid Kit (See Licensing Rules)o Emergency Medical release forms Additional items: Necessary medications Cell phone Food, water, diapersv If safe to do so, search all areas of the building to ensure that no one was left behind.v Conduct a head-count for all children, staff, volunteers, and visitors. It is recommended that each facility put together a “Be Prepared Bag” containing items that may be needed in the event of an emergency evacuation. If at all possible each classroom should have a bag. This “BE PREPARED” bag should contain:o Childrens emergency contact information.o Attendance records.o Authorizations for medical treatment and transportation.o Staffs emergency contact information.o First Aid Kit. (See Licensing Rules)o Flashlights and extra batteries.o A tarp or something to cover the ground.o Age-appropriate snacks, non-perishable and baby supplies.o Diapers, extra clothes and plastic disposal bags.o Age-appropriate games or activities.o Bottles of water with cups and bottles. (if needed)o Extra cash.o Duct tape.o Scissors. o Pliers or wrench.o Radio and extra batterieso A map of the facility to show to emergency responders.o Post a pre-made sign on the front door stating the facility is closed and your current location.Firev Staff should be alerted to the emergency.v Evacuate the building quickly and calmly.o Take the attendance sheets and emergency contact information.o If caught in smoke, have everyone crawl to the exit.o Pull clothing over your nose and mouth to reduce the amount of smoke you may inhale.o If clothes catch on fire, STOP, DROP, AND ROLL.o Gather in the predetermined meeting spot.o Account for all staff and children immediately.o Call 9-1-1 from outside the building.o Do Not re-enter the building until cleared by the Fire Department.Floodv Be aware of any watches or warnings. Flood Watch: flooding may occur in your area. Flood Warning: flooding is occurring or will be occurring.v If your area is flooding: Determine if the facility should be closed. Notify parents that the facility is closed; also post a pre-made sign stating the facility is closed and your current location. Monitor the radio for storm updates and emergency instructions.v If the facility is in imminent danger of being flooded:o Take your attendance records and required items.o Take your “Be Prepared Bag”.o Escort the children to the predetermined location.o Search all areas of the facility to ensure all occupants have been evacuated.o Account for all children, staff, and visitors.o Leave a note on the door stating the location of the children.v Do not try to walk or drive thru a flooded area.v Stay away from moving water and power lines.v Contact the parents once the children are in a safe location.v If anyone has come into contact with the flood water, wash hands thoroughly.Intruder/Dangerous PersonIf a suspicious person or vehicle is at or near the facility, monitor the situation carefully, communicate to other staff, and be ready to take action.v Immediately notify staff of the potentially dangerous individual.v Initiate the LOCKDOWN procedure.v Call 9-1-1 from a safe location.o If the person is in the building: Try to isolate the person from the children and staff or try to keep the individual in one area. Do not try to physically restrain or block the person. Remain calm and polite; avoid confrontation.o If the children are outside: And the dangerous person is outside; quickly gather the children, return to the classrooms and initiate lockdown procedures. If this is not possible evacuate to the predetermined evacuation area. And the dangerous person is in the building: Quickly gather children and evacuate to the predetermined evacuation area.o If the children are inside: Keep the children in the classrooms and initiate the LOCKDOWN procedures.Landslide or MudflowLandslides are generally associated with heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt.Mudflows are fast-moving landslides that usually begin on steep hillsides.v Recognize the signs of slides:o Unusual sounds outside, such as rumbling, trees cracking, or rocks colliding.o New cracks appearing in buildings.o Fences, poles, trees tilting or moving.o MOVE IT, Get to Safer Ground, if possible.v EVACUATE, if possible v If too late to evacuate:o In-place sheltering: Take cover under sturdy furniture.o Outdoors: Get out of the path of the slide. Run to high ground and away from the slide. If debris is approaching, run for cover of trees or buildings. If escape is not possible, curl into a ball and protect your head.v Call 9-1-1.v Account for all children and staff.v Check for injured or trapped persons near the slide area, but stay clear of any danger and await rescue personnel.v Stay away from the slide area and be alert of any other dangers.Lockdownv Lock outside doors and windows.v Close and secure interior doors.v Close any curtains or blinds.v Turn off lights.v Keep everyone away from doors and windows. Stay out of sight, preferably sitting on the floor.v Account for all children, read books to the children or provide comforting items to keep them calm and as quiet as possible.v Call 9-1-1.v Remain in lockdown until the situation has been resolved.v Notify parents of the lockdown procedures and any drills that are performed.Missing or Abducted Childv Missing Child:o Search the program site, including all places a child may hide and nearby bodies of water.o Contact the parents to determine if the child is with the family. Have the parent bring a current photo of the child.o Call 9-1-1 with: Childs name and age. Address of the program. Physical description of the child. Description of the childs clothing. Any medical condition the child may have. Time and location of when the child was last seen. Person whom the child was last seen with.v Continue to search the site and surrounding area for the child.v Contact Licensing.v Abducted Child: o CALL 9-1-1 with: Childs name and age. Address of the program. Physical description of the child. (including a photo) Description of the childs clothing. Any medical condition the child may have. Time and location of when the child was last seen. Person whom the child was last seen with. Parents contact information.v Contact the parents.v Contact Licensing.Preventing child abductions: Do not release a child to anyone without parental permission and photo ID. Call 9-1-1 and report any suspicious individual. Encourage parents to advise you of any custody disputes and provide you a copy of court documents stating restraining orders. Include the facility on the court order for additional protection.Power Outagev Determine why the power is out.o If there is an electrical problem in the building, take out the flashlights and prepare to evacuate.v If severe weather caused the outage:o Take out flashlights. (Avoid using candles or any light source that has a flame.)o Account for all children and staff.o Report the power outage to the power company.o DO NOT call 9-1-1 unless there is an emergency.o