Section 2: Emergency Preparedness: Natural and Human-Generated Disasters

At 9:30 am, a tornado had quickly developed in my area. My supervisor at the local head start program informed all the teachers about it so they can calm the children in their care, who were already crying and wanting to go home. The main dangers in a tornado are standing near a glass window and flying debris. We at the head start were all at risk because the tornado could blow our building down. The area where our head start is located is the center point in where a tornado will touch down so it would be wise for my staff and I along with the children at the head start to relocate to a safe place.
My colleagues and I should be prepared in a situation like this so we can be able to help the children in our care and other staff members if needed. I would make sure that my colleagues and I would also have something contact information of our students that we need to contact the parents and families to let them know. If we are not prepared, we pose a danger to ourselves and others and we are not able to have anything be smooth manner. Our plan is to get out of the building in a timely, calm manner.
The steps that I would take to develop a plan in advance for a tornado is that I would practice the tornado drill once a month with my students and colleagues to ensure their safety. I would make sure that the first aid kit is fully stocked with band-aids, a whistle, medical supplies, baby supplies, games and activities for children, water, non-perishable food, emergency contact numbers with the parents and families information on it (redcross.org). These items would be necessary for us to have because in case we are unable to get the children and ourselves home we have lots of supplies needed to take care of all of our needs.
The families of the children in my care would be notified of the tornado and informed that their children are okay. I would also let them know if we had to go to a shelter. I would talk to them about the possible dangers of a tornado and the techniques needed to help them and their children to feel safe in a tornado.
At 1:30 p.m., a fire has quickly developed at one of the plants in town and my local preschool was asked to evacuate the premises because of dangerous fumes and a possible explosion, and go to the local community center. As an early childhood professional who works with preschool aged children, I know that I needed to remove my students and colleagues from the premises without any danger and remind my colleagues to remain calm so they wouldn’t scare the children.
The main danger of the fire and possible explosion at the plant is the chemical fumes that were in the air. It meant that it posed a threat for those who inhaled the air especially the children who had asthma or any respiratory problems. To lower that risk, my colleagues and I put face masks over the children and ourselves and loaded the buses to head to the community center.
We should be prepared in any situation including a fire/explosion so we can know what to do in order to remain calm. We need to know that we need to inform the parents that in case of a chemical fire or explosion that we are have them meet us at the community center to come pick up their children. If we are not prepared, we are not able to move the children in a safe manner. We also won’t be able explain to the children in our care and the families the possible threat of chemical fires and explosions.
In order for us early childhood professionals to prepare for a fire, we had to learn and teach the proper way to evacuate the building and how far we need to go away from the school in a timely manner.
I would make sure that the first aid kit is fully stocked with band-aids, a whistle, medical supplies, baby supplies, games and activities for children, water, non-perishable food, emergency contact numbers with the parents and families information on it (redcross.org). These items would be necessary for us to have because in case we are unable to get the children and ourselves home we have lots of supplies needed to take care of all of our needs.