When you must evacuate or relocate from your facility, follow the steps in your disaster preparedness plan and:
- Choose one relocation site that is near and another that is farther away.
- Call your local emergency response system if needed (usually 911).
- Count children before you evacuate, while you are moving, and after you arrive at your gathering spot or relocation site. Make sure you can account for every child.
- Bring your emergency supply kit with the provisions you will need to care for children, including:
- Emergency contact information for families and staff
- Care plans, equipment, and medication for children with special health care needs
- First aid supplies
- Water and food
- Bring your Bee CALM Backpack with materials to help children feel calmer and more secure.
- Bring your communication devices, so you can reach families, program administrators, and emergency officials, and they can reach you.
- Use evacuation cribs or strollers for infants and toddlers and a walking rope for children who can walk. Use portable wheelchairs for children with disabilities that affect their mobility.
- Make sure that everyone has left the building. Turn off the lights. If you have time, close and lock doors and windows.
- List information about relocation sites on an Emergency Wallet Card that you give to all staff and families. Communicate with families as soon as possible.
- Wait for an “all clear” message from emergency officials before returning to your building.
- Set up a sign-out station at your relocation site if you can’t go back to your building.
