Like all other early childhood and school-age settings, after school programs need to consider how they prepare for and respond to emergency situations, from natural disasters, like storms, earthquakes, tornados, flash floods, or volcanic eruptions; fires; power outages; missing children; or acts of violence, including active shooter situations. Some emergency situations may require evacuation, while others may initiate a lock down, or shelter-in-place. The best way to prepare for emergency situations is to plan for them. We can do this by considering the kinds of emergency situations we might encounter, and then developing a series of procedures and protocols for responding to them. Your program’s Emergency Action Plan sets out your role and responsibilities should any of these emergencies occur.
