Disaster and Emergency Preparedness in Schools

Disasters and emergencies can occur anywhere, and with children spending so much of their time in school it is important to consider how the pediatric and school community can take steps to prepare for the unthinkable. This is especially important when children are in school during the day, and they are separated from their parents (who may be at work, their own school, or at home).

When these disasters or emergency situations occur, children are typically vulnerable. Children differ from adults in their physiology, developing organ systems, behavior, emotional and developmental understanding of and response to events. Children are also dependent on adults to offer guidance or help them meet their basic needs. Children can lack the ability to flee hazards, and they may even approach disaster situations out of curiosity or inadequate comprehension of risk. Children may have been taught to try to help others, and this too can place them at risk. A child’s ability to understand the details of a disaster can lead to stress, fear, anxiety, inability to cope, and exaggerated response to media exposure.

The AAP and other organizations offer a variety of resources for school personnel, school nurses, pediatricians, and others working to strengthen disaster preparedness in schools. Pediatricians and others who care for children in a disaster need to be prepared to meet the physical and psychological needs of children. The first step is to develop a written preparedness plan that includes the steps to be taken (by whom) in a disaster and an operations plan to reduce risks and prepare for and respond to a disaster situation. Planning for response and recovery to meet children’s mental and behavioral health needs is also critical.

Communications Planning

Schools should also have a written plan on how they will communicate with parents in a disaster. The AAP offers information that schools can provide to parents online.

Accessing Community Resources

State/local health department or local government office of emergency preparedness is an excellent place to start when researching your community’s data. School districts and security offices may also have important information on preparedness. The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center’s website includes an interactive map that links to all state resources.

Tools and Resources

• Disaster Preparedness
  This website from the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) focuses on creating plans in both the school and community setting. It also has resources for planning and coping for children.
• FEMA: Multihazard Emergency Planning for Schools Site
  This site contains a variety of materials including a complete guidebook, templates, checklists, sample forms and more!
• Natural Disaster Resources for K-12 Schools
  The United States Environmental Protection Agency cumulated a list of resources for disaster and preparedness and recovery information for k-12 schools.
• Prepare Your School for Emergencies
  This website from the American Red Cross contains Tips for Schools, Staff and Students to help prepare for disasters.
• Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center
  The REMS TA Center serves two critical functions aimed at helping education agencies, with their community partners, manage safety, security, and emergency management programs.
• gov : Emergency Planning
  This website contains a variety of strategies and featured resources to assist schools in developing an emergency plan.
• National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
  Children's Hospital of Los Angeles' National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement's services include crisis response, education and training, and advocacy and research.

Information for Parents and Families

Articles located on HealthyChildren.org, AAP’s website for parents and families.

• School Safety During an Emergency or Crisis: What Parents Need to Know
• Disasters and Your Family: Be Prepared
• Understanding Disasters
• Talking to Children About Disasters

AAP Family Readiness Kit
This kit can help families get disaster ready. This kit includes general guidelines for readiness that can be used in most situations.

CDC’s Caring for Children in a Disaster
Children are more vulnerable than adults in emergency situations. This website from the CDC contains many tools and resources for taking steps to protect children.

Backpack Emergency Card
This template, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is for an emergency card with contact information to include in their child’s backpack.

Preparing for Disasters at School: Tips for Parents
This website from the American Public Health Association contains tips and a fact sheet for parents.

Safety and Children with Disabilities: Disaster and Trauma
This website from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contains more information on the extra support children with disabilities may require from an adult to help them cope with disaster or traumatic events.