Emergency Preparedness

It is important for child care providers to prepare for emergencies because one could occur while children are in your care. In North Carolina, we often associate emergencies with weather events and full-scale disasters such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, winter storms, and hurricanes. Other types of emergencies that have been known to involve child care providers include car/van accidents, fires, chemical releases, and utility outages. On September 11, 2001, when child care providers in the World Trade Center and Pentagon had to relocate children following the terror attacks, we were also reminded that violence can be a very real threat to children in child care. Whatever the risk, planning ahead can save lives and reduce the risk of injuries.

The Division recommends the following resource materials to assist you as you prepare for emergencies.

Resource	Description
Emergency Plan Template for Child Care Providers	Assist child care providers with a fill-in-the blank template which may be used in preparing an individualized emergency plan.
Emergency Preparedness Tips for Child Care Providers (revised May 2005)	Describes what to do both before and after an emergency takes place.
Security Awareness Tips for Child Care Providers	Provides security and safety tips for implementation in a child care program.
NC Child Care Health and Safety Bulletin - See Spring 2006, Spring 2005, February and March 2002 bulletins on emergency preparedness (courtesy of the NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center)	Comprehensive emergency preparedness information for child care providers and parents. (Click on "Health and Safety Bulletin" button on left and then buttons for Spring 2006, Spring 2005, February and March 2002 editions.)

Additional Resources That Might Be Helpful

Resource	Description
Division of Child Development Disaster Plan - Revised May 2007	Describes how the Division might help child care providers and families after a disaster.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Tips (FEMA)	Provides information on specific types of disasters and how to prepare for them.
American Red Cross	Identify your local Red Cross chapter Getting prepared for disasters Keeping safe during various disasters Family Disaster Planning Family Disaster Planning Supplies Kit
Coping Mechanisms: Strategies for helping children cope with tragedy	Provides advice offered by the Children's Defense Fund and links to other organizations that have developed advice.
Cooperative Extension Service Disaster Information	Provides disaster coping strategies for families and other resources.
North Carolina Division of Emergency Management	Home page and links to local Emergency Management offices
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website on hurricanes.	Provides information on what to do during and after hurricanes and how to get help.
Child Care and Preschool Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist	The US Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer a checklist to help programs prepare for the effects of a flu pandemic.

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