Planning for Disasters or Medical Emergencies

We all hope that emergencies or disasters will not happen. However, planning and preparation are key elements of positive outcomes in times of emergency. We present two elements of emergency/disaster planning here:

Suggestions for emergency information letters and a consent form for emergency illness or injury
Family Emergency Preparedness Plan and Checklist

Emergency Information Letters and Consent Forms

If your child, elder, or adult dependent should have a medical emergency while in someone else's care, it is important that the caregiver know how to respond and have the means to do so. Most care providers have an emergency care authorization form that parents or caregivers sign before their child or elder receives care at that setting. If you were not asked to sign such a form, please inquire with the provider. The information here applies to more informal care provision, such as babysitters and relatives. Please check with your child or elder's health care provider to ensure that the letter you prepare fulfills their legal requirements for emergency care provision.

One person in the Parents Network suggests the following approach for their children. This can also be applied to elders or other adult dependents:

"We have several pages which we leave with caregivers, whether they are friends, family, or babysitters. We give them the following information:

A) Emergency Information

Location of medicines
Location of emergency/earthquake supplies
Location of fire escape ladders
Out of state contacts

B) How to find us and our schedules

Our schedule for the evening/weekend
Our cell phones and other contact numbers
Notes about kids' schedules, food, etc. [Note: this can also apply to elders/adult dependents]

C) Emergency Medical Information

Children's full names and Kaiser #'s
Any allergies or pre-existing medical conditions
Names, addresses, phone numbers, and hours of kids' doctor and dentist.
Driving directions to Kaiser

"We then sign the following statement:

'We hereby authorize _______ to obtain all necessary and appropriate X-ray examinations, anesthetic, medical, or surgical diagnosis or treatment and hospital care which is deemed advisable by, and is to be rendered under, general or special supervision of any physician or surgeon licensed to practice medicine under the laws of the state of California. Best efforts shall be made to contact us before such authorization, but in the case of urgent care, it is understood that the authorization of this is given in advance of any specific diagnosis, treatment or hospital care but is given to provide authority and power on the part of _____ to give specific consent to any physician in the exercise of their best medical judgement is deemed advisable, and is in the best interest of the child(ren). This authorization is valid until ________ (date).' "

There are also forms available from Nolo Press concerning medical authorization for treatment of minors and child care contracts. To view Nolo's offerings in this area, go to their web site at http://www.nolo.com/lawstore/products/ and look for their Child Care section. Once again, verify any form you choose with your children's health care provider to ensure that it meets their requirements.

Family Emergency Preparedness Plan and Checklist

We in the Bay Area are well aware of the need to be prepared for unexpected disasters or emergencies. Establishing a family preparedness plan may help to avoid injury and panic during an earthquake or other emergency situation. Planning is vitally important since many working people and their families spend their days in different locations and may not be reunited for some time if transportation routes are damaged.

Steps Your Family Can Take to Prepare

Locate campus and community sources for information regarding:

List of supplies to have on-hand at home, school, and in the workplace.
First aid and CPR training for family members.
What to do when an earthquake occurs.

The mission of the Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) is to educate the Berkeley campus community on how to prepare for emergencies and recover from them. You can contact them at 642-9036 for information on campus and community resources to assist you in both office and home emergency preparedness planning. You can also go to their web site at http://oep.berkeley.edu or email them at thm@uclink4.berkeley.edu.

Family Plan If Separated When a Disaster Occurs

If you haven't yet done so, formulate a family plan for handling emergencies and include children in the planning process, as is age-appropriate. Pre-school age children who have never experienced a quake may be confused or frightened by talk of what can occur, but benefit from a general reassurance that you will never give up trying to locate them if you are separated.

Delegate responsibilities for specific tasks to each family member.
Formulate a plan for reuniting your family after an earthquake.
Make a list of three or four places the family can go if you are separated and unable to return home (neighbors, relatives, local schools, or community centers). Post this list in a prominent place in the home.
Select an out-of-state relative or friend as your "family contact center".
Establish a list of key addresses and telephone numbers for all family members.
If you must leave your home after an emergency, leave a message indicating where you will be.
Learn what your child's school/child care program's emergency plan is regarding holding and releasing children after a quake, and safety information/training in the classroom.
Share your family plan with your child's care providers/school or your elder's caregivers. Sign a medical treatment consent form for minor children to avoid delay in emergency hospital care, should that become necessary.
Learn what the University's or other employer's emergency plans are for holding/releasing employees after a quake and assignment location during restoration efforts.

Family Emergency List

Click here for a Family Emergency List to assist your family in its emergency preparation planning. This file is in a PDF format.

An Additional Resource

The web site of the American Academy of Pediatrics has a very good section entitled "Family Readiness Kit: Preparing to Handle Disasters." This kit includes steps for family disaster planning and guidelines for helping children cope in times of emergency. You can reach their web site at http://www.aap.org/.

Click here for a printable version

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