Interesting local emergency plan (warning long post)

[jrmasm]

Some background, DD (7) attends school at point A. I work about 7 miles east (across body of water) and DH works about 5 miles east of my office.

1)Our local school district sent home their emergency plan yesterday. Long story short, if a "situation" develops locally. All children will be immediately bused home regardless of their normal after school arrangements. Similar to an early dismissal due to weather. If the situtation warrants further caution, all the children will be kept at school. Parents are advised to make plans and discuss these possibilities with their children.

2) In the area that I work, there are a large number of parking garages (I heard an estimate that 20,000 people park in garages). I have no idea what the real numbers are but it's a lot of people/vehicles. The Parking Authority that oversees the garages mailed letters that arrived yesterday as well. In the event of a "terrorist threat or incident" all garages will be be locked down meaning that you can't get your car out. They go on to say that everyone affected will be directed by "public authorities to assembly points from which all will be transported to other more safe locations." The reasoning behind this lock down is to cut down on grid lock that could result.

While, I really do not feel that there is much likelihood of this situation occuring, I have to say that I'm a little upset. I am geographically closer to DD and our home than DH so I should be able to get to her first except for the face that I'll be bussed to a "safer" local god know where and won't be able to get in touch with anyone because cell phone lines would be jammed.

Honestly, I don't know what would be a better solution to the problem but the idea that the local authorities would prevent me from getting to my DD makes me crazy!

I guess I'll start parking at the meters!!

 

[christinou]

I really feel bad for you, I just can't understand why they would bus the kids home. I live 35 minutes from home, and that would mean that my kids would get home before we do. Right now in case of early dismissal they get bussed to their before and after school day care. Do you have a neighbor that DD could go to, in case of an emergency until you can get home??

 

[jrmasm]

DD knows that if she ever comes home and we aren't there she is to go to a specific neighbor's house. My problem with the situation is that could be hours until my DH could get home and I expect that communication would be almost impossible. She would no idea where we were or when we were getting home. That and my DH would no idea where the hell I was!!!

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'd be parking at the meters.

 

[caitycaity]

that is a bad situation.

i'm not sure where you live, but on 9/11 here even if you had your car, you weren't getting anywhere. fortunately i was able to take public transportation to dh's office and we just holed up there. if not, we wouldn't have been able to get ahold of each other for hours either.

it's the unfortunate reality in an emergency.

 

[momof2OH]

I also got my childrens school emergency plan yesterday. I do understand why they have them, but I sure don't agree with ALL of it. There's one sentence in ours that I don't like (I'm sure other parents won't either) Here it is:
"However, unless othwise directed by local law enforcement, you will not be denied access to your children"

Now, I'd like to see the local law enforcement try and keep several hundred "Moms" away from their kids. Forget the reason why they were denied access in the first place, they would have their hands full with all the irate moms (parents) causing a situation.

 

[Kallison]

Our schools plan is to hermetically duct tape the kids into the gymnasium. There have been all kinds of articles in the papers about how the parents should not try to get their children, they could endanger them, carry in foreign toxins etc. I work at the middle school about 10 min. away from my kids elementary school. My plan is to leave, get my kids and take them home. The school says it will not "hold" the kids for longer than 24 hours. They also said they cannot prevent you from leaving work or getting your children, unless the gym has already been sealed. An aide at lunch yesterday was spouting off about how ridiculous parents are and they have to understand that the schools know what is best and should not even try to get their kids out. She of course has no kids! I guess I will take it on a wait and see basis, but there have been storm instances in the past where I feel that the school did not act in the best interest of the kids. Specifically a hurricane where they kept the kids all day and bussed them home in a very dangerous situation. What really makes me laugh is our middle school has over 1,000 students and the emergency supplies consist of ONE Rubbermaid tote full of stuff. I'm not too worried about anything happening where I live.

 

[peg2001]

I can go one better, I think. My DDs elementary school sent home a notice that they have an emergency plan but they weren't going to share any details with us, the parents. I don't remember their exact words, but their reasoning was that if they announced specific plans, then assembly points, etc., could become targets.

Peggy

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

I believe I just heard on the radio that one school system is asking parents to send in backpacks with clothing, non-perishable food and water...enough for three days. I guess that would be a good idea if there were some type of attack where the kids would be locked in for a long period of time, but where would they store all this stuff?