MONTESANO— The Save the Children Foundation recently released the results of a study to see which states were most prepared during emergency situations in schools. Many states didn’t perform well in the survey.
Save the Children standards
The situations were based on all hazard types. The four Save The Children’s Report Card Standards referred to in this report are:
• Standard 1-A: Plan for evacuating children in child care
The state must require that all child care providers — including schools — have a written plan for evacuating and safely moving children to an alternate site. The plan must include provisions for multiple types of hazards.
• Standard 2-A: Plan for reuniting families after a disaster
The state must require that all child care providers have a written plan for emergency notification of parents and reunification of families following an emergency.
• Standard 3-A: Plan for children with disabilities and those with access and functional needs
The state must require that all child care providers have a written plan that accounts for children with disabilities and those with access and functional needs. This standard must go beyond specific classes of special needs that may exist elsewhere in state code and must include a specific requirement indicating how all children with special needs will be included in the emergency plan.
• Standard 4: A multi-hazard plan for K-12 schools
The state must require that all child care providers have a written plan that addresses multiple types of hazards and covers a number of responses, including evacuation, shelter-in-place and lockdown situations. Mandating fire and tornado drills alone are not sufficient for states to meet the standard, since these activities do not address other types of hazards.
GH County schools status
All Grays Harbor County schools are extremely well prepared for multiple types of hazards. We are very lucky to have superintendents, principals, faculty and staff who take preparedness seriously and genuinely care about the well-being of every student-the children of our community.
Grays Harbor County Emergency Management has reviewed most preparedness plans of the various schools and school districts and have found them to be comprehensive as well as achievable.
Every school practices shelter-in place, fire drills and drop cover and hold-on, exercises multiple times each year. For the last three years, every school has participated in The Great Shakeout Earthquake Exercise. This year the Great Shakeout will take place on Oct. 16 at 10:16 a.m. — the largest earthquake exercise in the world. The goal is to prepare each student, staff and faculty member on best practices to help keep everyone safe from harm.
Practice reduces impact
We’ll never be able to predict worst case scenario emergencies or disasters. Through exercise participation, collaboration, education and information sharing, we can reduce the impact any emergency or disaster situation presents upon our community and our children.
School has started. Be sure you contact your school to find out what the disaster and emergency plans are for your child.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Grays Harbor Emergency Management at 360- 964-1575 or at:
