Emergencies are unpredictable, but managing an emergency is easier when people know what to do. Training helps staff understand their assigned roles and responsibilities and how to work as a team.

A tabletop exercise is a preparedness training activity for staff after their orientation to disaster preparedness. It is an opportunity to have a group discussion about how to respond to emergency scenarios. This exercise can help staff feel more confident about what to do in a real emergency.

Drills are a time for children and adults to become more familiar with emergency response by practicing together. Drills help everyone know how to respond quickly and safely. Regular drills can also help make a real emergency seem less overwhelming so everyone can stay focused and feel more confident.

Tips and Strategies for Training Staff

• Give an orientation for staff assigned to emergency roles.
• Use tabletop exercises to help staff learn more about their roles and how to respond to specific emergencies.
• Have group discussions to review what worked well and to find areas to improve.
• Practice each drill in your written plan and provide more training if needed.
• Train staff to use emergency safety equipment such as walking ropes, evacuation cribs, wagons, strollers with multiple seats, and portable wheelchairs for infants and toddlers, and children who are not mobile.
• Use your mental health consultant to train staff to use a trauma-informed approach through songs, scripted stories, and dramatic play.
• Create an ongoing professional development schedule that considers staff turnover and gives opportunities to train new staff in your emergency preparedness plan and procedures.

Learn More

• Emergency Preparedness Manual for Early Childhood Programs
• Stay Safe Procedures in Early Childhood Programs

Collaborating with Families

During any disaster or emergency, families want to know the program is keeping their children safe. Sharing the emergency preparedness plan with families — and welcoming questions and feedback — can help programs work with families to prepare for the unique needs of their child.

Tips and Strategies for Working with Families

• Share emergency preparedness information at enrollment and whenever you update your plan.
• Work with families to make a plan for each child who may need more help during an emergency. This includes children with special health care needs or specific emotional support needs.
• Use your mental health consultant to help families understand how to prepare their child in developmentally appropriate ways before a drill and to talk with their child after about how it made them feel.
• Share information with families about how to make their own family emergency plan.

Learn More

• Make a Plan
• Make a Family Emergency Plan

Last Updated: June 5, 2025