An early childhood program with a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan will need to fill key roles for all emergencies. Managing an emergency is easier when people know what to do and have a list of tasks to complete. Assign staff to these roles and assign an alternate for each role so more than one person knows what to do in an emergency. This ensures you have a backup in case the lead is not at work the day an emergency occurs.
Each role is responsible for activities before, during, and after disasters. The size of your program might help you decide how roles are assigned. In a small program, a person may have more than one role. In a large program, staff members may share a role. In a large program with more than one facility, roles may be assigned at each location. Programs with more than one facility may have one program administrator who coordinates the emergency response for all locations.
Assign staff to these roles:
- Incident leader oversees all preparedness, response, and recovery activities. They assign all emergency roles and make sure staff receive training to carry out their responsibilities.
- Facilities safety lead prepares facilities to withstand natural disasters and other emergencies and oversees facility recovery, cleanup, and repair with program administrators.
- Communication lead is the main contact person for staff and families. They also contact local emergency management officials, first responders, and other emergency workers. They give status updates to emergency workers, program staff, and families.
- Transportation lead coordinates the relocation of staff and children to other sites as needed.
- Mental health lead promotes positive mental health strategies for families, children, and staff. They find mental health resources to use before, during, and after an emergency.
- Attendance and reunification lead keeps track of all children and staff and checks adults’ identification during reunification of children and families. This person may also be responsible for making sure contact information is up to date.
- Learning and care lead makes sure all children, including infants and toddlers and children with disabilities or special health care needs, get care for their needs during an emergency. Teaching staff or family child care providers usually fill this role.
- Supplies lead gets supplies and makes sure each location has access to food, water, and other supplies during an emergency. This person may also be responsible for checking and counting supplies and replacing items when needed.
- First aid lead gives first aid to children, staff, and volunteers.
Note that programs may use different titles to identify these key leadership roles.
Last Updated: June 13, 2025