Thursday, October 10, 2013

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

·         Describe each of the disaster scenarios you have chosen (such as a hurricane that has quickly developed in your area) and a real or hypothetical early childhood setting (such as a Head Start program housed on a university campus near the coast). What are the main dangers posed by these situations? Who is at risk?

I would choose flooding as a disaster.  If we are house near the coast, I think that would be a good scenario.  The danger of flooding is high water rising quickly.  The danger would also be what is in the water.  Sometimes flash flood come within seconds and it is too late to leave your destination.  The water can be polluted or have an oil spill or something dangerous.  We all are at risk.  All faculty, staff, children and other businesses that surround the coast is in danger.  A second scenario will be a fire at the day care.  We all are sitting down eating out lunch when we hear 2 short bells rings.  I know, and my kids know that this is a fire drill.  Well we think it is a fire drill.  All my kids got up immediately, and  we exit the door to the rear of the room.  Once we made it outside, I checked to see if all my students were present.  The fire started in a classroom.  Someone left the heater on, and a blanket was near the heater.  We all escape, and I was glad I practice the procedure with my students and co-workers.

·         Explain why you and your colleagues should be prepared. What are the consequences of not being prepared?

We all should be prepared at any time because we should know the procedures when flooding is occurring.  When enrolling a child, I know the parents will want to know the procedures in case of an emergency. I have to ensure them we have a plan, and they child will be safe.  House by the coast, you should be ready at any time because the weather or high winds can cause a flood or even if a bridge collapse.  If we do not know what to do, the first thing we will do is panic.  If a teacher is in a total panic, the children’s behavior will reflect this (Stephens, 2010).   In panicking in a time like this is not safe.  If our children see us panic, they will start to cry.  We need to know who is at school and should be able to contact all children parents.  It is a good idea to practice the rules and procedure for any emergency.  Usually schools have fire drills once a month.  I think that all staff should practice the procedures in case of a real emergency. 

·         Summarize the appropriate steps you would take to develop a plan in advance for this disaster and how you would deal with it if it occurs.

I would develop an emergency plan.  I will make sure all team members and children know what to do in case of an emergency such as flooding.  I will give my staff duties they should consider during this emergency situation.  They are to study their strategy and be willing and ready if a disaster should take place.  I would drill myself, and my team to make sure we will be familiar with our duties. If the water has not risen and we have to evacuate immediately, we would make sure all kids are accountable for and bring along medicine, call log and first aid kit. I will pick a place for everyone to go and how we would get there.  Once we are at our destination, I will inform my kid’s parents that they are safe. 

References:

Robertson (2013-02-01). Safety, Nutrition and Health in Early Education (Page 199). Wadsworth Publishing.

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