FEMA Recommends Families Talk To Their Children About Disasters And Develop An Emergency Communication Plan
Release Date: September 15, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-186
Washington, DC - As states along the Eastern Seaboard brace for the expected arrival of Hurricane Isabel, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges families to work together to develop a disaster communication plan and to help children air their fears about the coming storm.
"All members of a family, even small children, need to know how to react in case of a disaster, even a hurricane," said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "Everyone needs to sit down and go through different possible scenarios and discuss fears and concerns."
FEMA recommends that families decide how each should act if a disaster occurs when they are away from home. The family should also designate an out-of-state relative or friend as a contact person. That way, each member can check in with the contact person even if they have become separated during the disaster. The family should also discuss what to do if they are asked to evacuate, including what to bring and how to deal with family pets. Older children can also be given tasks, such as locating important items, shutting off utilities or watching out for younger children.
"Remember, children are affected by disasters, too, and their concerns and fears need to be taken into consideration," said Brown. "While many parents may feel it's upsetting to children to talk about disasters, in fact, the children may benefit by having their fears aired and addressed."
Children affected by disaster may appear stoic or may suddenly act much younger than their age. Parents can help by:
- Staying together as a family as much as possible
- Assuring the child the disaster is not their fault
- Making sure they have a favorite toy to bring with them if evacuation is necessary
- Ensuring the get enough rest during stressful times before the storm hits
- Not minimizing the event
More information for parents can be found on the FEMA for Kids Web site, at www.fema.gov/kids under the Parents/Teachers Resources icon.
Hurricane Isabel is a strong Category 4 storm predicted to hit the Eastern Seaboard by Thursday.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 16-Sep-2003 08:44:21