Hurricane Emergency Response Plan
Before the Storm:
During a hurricane watch (24-48 hours to landfall), all CHS facilities will be secured and any final preparation will be completed. Emergency supplies, food and water are to be distributed to residential programs as needed at this time.
Management team members will monitor broadcast media, internet or the National Weather Service’s weather radio for storm’s predictions and activities and keep abreast of any developments.
Regional Executive Directors will remain in communication with the CHS Home Office and the Regional Executive Directors of regions with which resources may be shared (supplies, team members, vehicles, equipment such as portable generators and temporary housing) to keep them apprised of the status of the storm and any assistance that might be required. S/he will designate an alternate to act on her/his behalf in the event she/he cannot be contacted during or immediately following the storm. The Regional Executive Director will also apprise the local Board of Directors, CBC or other funders and regulatory agents as appropriate of imminent emergency response plans. The Regional Executive Director will direct the distribution of emergency contact information to team members and foster parents.
Team members will contact all foster parents to review their emergency preparation plans. If foster parents plan to evacuate, team members shall obtain the address and contact information where they will be staying. Team members will remind foster parents to contact CHS as soon as possible after the storm passes with a status update.
During the Storm:
During a hurricane warning (12-24 hours to landfall), residential team members will prepare clients to stay in facilities or evacuate a facility as appropriate. Team members will assist in preparation activities as directed or needed.
Childcare team members on duty during a storm will remain on duty until relief team members arrive and shall not leave the clients or facility without express supervisor approval.
All CHS facilities located in designated evacuation zones or as directed by emergency management officials will be evacuated during a hurricane warning.
All team members will monitor communication from the Regional Executive Director or designees and assist with evacuation or emergency preparations as needed.
CHS will identify a central social media forum for updates and communication across team members and stakeholders such as the CHS Twitter account: @HelpFLKids.
Updates will be coordinated by the CHS Executive Team.
After the Storm:
Immediately following the storm, team members will verify that all residential clients and team members are safe and secure and as soon as it is safe to do so will begin damage assessment.
Team members on duty are to contact their supervisors to provide an update on the well-being of clients and team members.
Social media may be used in addition to/or in combination with other methods to communicate public announcements such as a temporary program closing and reopening.
Once the hurricane warning has been lifted, residential relief team members shall return to work at their scheduled time unless there has been communication from supervisors to the contrary. All team members are to contact their supervisors, the administrative office or announced telephone number as soon as possible to relay information on their status including their ability to return to work.
Supervisors and Directors will assess and document damage to facilities including photographs or videos and a narrative description of any damages. The Regional Executive Director will determine the feasibility of returning to evacuated facilities. Facilities must be safe and have essential utilities available prior to clients or team members being returned.
Foster parents are to contact designated program team members, the administrative office or announced telephone contact number as soon as possible to relay information on their whereabouts and well-being and that of children in their care.
Team members may return to normal work activities only after all CHS residential clients are back safely in their residential homes or another approved placement, team members are no longer required to provide hands-on childcare, and all community-based clients have been accounted for. If an office or facility is rendered unsuitable for any reason, team members will have an alternative workspace until they can return to their office.
