In January 2010, Sandpiper Elementary School’s principal, Ms. Linda McDaniel, created a Disaster Preparedness Committee (DPC) whose mission is to prepare the school campus and students for a potential disaster or other emergency. Ms. McDaniel and the committee’s chairperson, Ms. Kathy Lee, recruited members from a wide range of backgrounds. The committee includes Sandpiper teachers, PTA members, and Redwood Shores Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members, some of whom leverage their professional knowledge of radio communications, a physician, a fire captain, and a police officer.
The DPC quickly generated a plan of action for updating emergency supplies, developing procedures and logistics, and revising the school safety plan. Backpacks containing teacher support supplies (e.g., flashlights, gloves, first aid kit, student informational cards) were installed in every classroom. Lists of other emergency items such as water barrels, radios, tarps, crowbars, and sanitation supplies were compiled, in order to care for the students and independently maintain the school site for the state recommended 72 hours after a disaster.
Generous donations from the Sandpiper PTA and the Redwood Shores Community Association (RSCA) allowed initial purchases to be made, including a newly installed emergency supply shed. An earthquake/fire drill has been conducted, and a plan for parent reunification is almost complete.
A campus walkthrough with Captain Rick Kehr and his team from the RWC Fire Station 20 here in Redwood Shores helped to determine the most appropriate post-disaster meeting places, pickup areas and emergency vehicle logistics.
The DPC also established networking contacts with emergency and disaster preparedness officials in the Redwood City Fire Department, Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department, San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services, and other school districts.
Parents and community members are invited to make donations to the Sandpiper Disaster Preparedness Fund by writing a check payable to the “Sandpiper PTA” and dropping it off at the school office. Please be sure to write “DPC” on the memo line of your check.
The DPC is looking forward to continuing work on its multi-year plan to keep the Sandpiper community safe!
— Mike Mancusi