Hurricane “D” has developed heading towards South Florida. The main dangers posed in this hurricane are the high winds at 135 mph which can tear off roofs creating debris that can be dangerous for anyone outside. Surge is major a concern for Good Shepherd Child Care Center which is in a flooding area. The ones who are at risk are the children and their education which is being put to a stop due to the closing down of the facility. Also families are affected since children cannot be placed in a safe environment that Good Shepherd provides for them. For this reason we should be prepared, also such disasters “…could cause the need to replace equipment or rebuild buildings…” (Robertson, 2010, p. 199). A major consequence of not preparing could be “injury or loss of life to children or teachers” (Robertson, 2010, p. 199).
In preparation, to minimize the potential complications created by hurricanes are: Identify hazards that are typical to South Florida such as flood waters that will increase contamination of fresh water, increased disease by insects or mosquitoes that live on standing water. Next, “develop an outline for each hazard found” (Robertson, 2010, p. 200). Third is “put together the information gathered” (Robertson, 2010, p. 200) of the potential hazards that are typical to the area. The last step is to ask ourselves what could happen if flood waters were to persist after the hurricane hit (Robertson, 2010, p. 200).
Other steps that we can take are to partner up with other child care facilities that may not have the same risks that can provide temporary accommodations for families and their children. In addition to the last step is to make a contact list of all the staff members and team members of the parent committee to call after the major disaster has passed. The parent committee, which is comprised of the parents themselves, can help staff and teachers connect with the families of the child care center to give up dates on any progress. Parents can involve themselves in distributing goods such as food, water, ice, clothes, and emergency contacts that are available.
A hostage situation can be possible at Good Shepherd Child Care Center. If this was the case the staff would be ready to act by first being aware that an unwarned disaster like this can happen. Children, staff and teachers are the most at risk of a bomb or gun firing which then becomes a life or death situation. In preparation staff should be trained, and drills should be implemented. Chaos and confusion can be the result if not prepared which leads to lack of calm. The complication to this is not taking control of the situation to help calm the intruder which possible harm or even death of someone is the consequence. Also, the building should be checked and follow plans drawn on how to exit the facility. A universal warning signal should be created for if an intruder were to enter the premises (Robertson, 2010, p.204).
The thing to do is to remain vigilant to avoid this disaster (Robertson, 2010, p.204) and to place security. Security cameras can be installed, sign in sheets for everyone visiting the facility has to be in place and a binder with copies of identification of people who are allowed to pick up a child (Robertson, 2010, p. 204). 911 have to be the first step in a hostage situation and have a speed dial designated. If there is a suspicious package the proper authorities should be contacted. A committee has to be formed for ideas and periodical updates, if necessary, on plans drawn out to deal with such disasters.
Parents can be involved to help bring input and if an alert were heightened parents can inform the school. In a situation, parents can support and comfort one another. Parents can be used to help teacher teach safety and alertness. Also, the school can make parents aware of children’s safety in the middle of the situation.
Reference
Robertson, C. (2010). Safety, Nutrition, and Health in Early Education (4th ed). Belmont: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning
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