Emergency management requires coordinated prevention, protection, response, and recovery activities that span the preparedness spectrum.
Security and emergency preparedness at child care centers, work, home, and in the community is the highest priority of GSA Child Care Centers and is everyone’s responsibility. Use the following resources to help you create and evaluate emergency preparedness plans:
Emergency authorities and officials
Child care centers operating on federal property are subject to federal law. During an emergency, follow local guidance, warnings, or directives issued by the Federal Protective Service or other local governmental or police organization. This may include an agency’s protective group (U.S. Marshals Service, Interior Park Police, Postal Service Police, etc.) or the building’s Designated Official (the highest ranking official of the primary Federal agency occupant) who makes the Occupant Emergency Plan (OEP) activation decisions for the facility.
Occupant Emergency Plan (OEP)
All federal buildings are required to have an OEP for all tenants. The child care center’s OEP document should be included in the main building’s own OEP such as an appendix. Each classroom should have an abridged version for reference posted and stored in the emergency fly-away kit. View the Federal Protective Service guidance for Occupant Emergency Planning.
Additional resources
The following external resources can support your emergency planning:
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)—access an interactive checklist for emergency kits, sections to plan emergency meeting locations, and maps with FEMA Disaster Recovery Center locations.
- American Red Cross—learn First Aid techniques, monitor storm conditions, and view instructions on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane.
U.S. General Services Administration