Disaster Preparedness

On each campus, Brentwood School has established procedures that enable the staff, faculty, and administration to be prepared to create the safest environment possible during a disaster. The full texts of the campuses’ emergency manuals are available for review in each division office.

Plan in Advance.

Make certain you fill out and return the school Emergency Authorization form every time you change phone numbers or move to a new address.
Update, as needed, the Disaster Release form. This form lists the people you authorize (including carpool drivers) to pick up your child in a disaster.
Make sure that your SIA phone numbers are current. Parents provide up to four telephone numbers that the school will use to send you recorded messages in a disaster.
Plan in advance what you, your family members, and your friends will do to help one another deal calmly in a crisis situation.

What should I do in a crisis?

If a disaster occurs during school hours, faculty and staff will stay with your children until they are picked up by you or an adult you have authorized on the emergency form you returned to the school. (If possible, authorize adults living near the school or near your home or office.) The school has a supply of food and water in storage for students who may be required to remain at the school for a few days during an emergency. Faculty and staff teams are organized and trained in first aid, security, rescue, roll call, and parental communications. In a disaster:

Do not call the school, as it will be necessary to keep the telephone lines open to communicate with emergency and government personnel.
Please wait for the school to notify you by recorded message with current information and special instructions.
Log in to this web site for up-to-date information.
Tune in to the local AM radio station providing emergency information following a disaster.
To receive up-to-date recorded information, be accessible at the emergency telephone number you provided.
Be familiar with and follow the emergency instructions contained in the Parent Student Handbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Following are answers to questions parents may have regarding both procedures and parental responsibilities in disaster situations. Such situations may include disruption of normal activities related to a major fire, a severe earthquake, or any area-wide catastrophe.

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Are there sources of information about the situation at the school other than by telephone? Hide: The school will arrange with local AM radio stations to provide information during the station’s regular emergency broadcast announcements, and the school will post information and instructions on this web site.
How does the school contact parents in a disaster? Hide: Brentwood School uses our SIA (School Information Alert) system to communicate vital information by recorded message. Messages are updated as new information is available. Parents provide up to four telephone numbers that the school will use for this purpose. Please make sure that your SIA phone numbers are current. (click here for form)
What if my child is injured in a disaster and requires emergency care? Hide: School staff will provide first aid and arrange for the earliest possible transportation to the nearest available emergency room.
Who will supervise my child in a disaster? Hide: Children are cared for by school staff and faculty until released to authorized adults. On each campus, staff, faculty, and administrative personnel have been divided into crisis response teams that will be overseen by an Emergency Operations Command. School employees will remain on both campuses until the crisis is over and every student has been accounted for and picked up by an authorized adult.
Does the school have emergency supplies for a disaster? Hide: Yes, each campus has food, water, blankets, and first aid supplies.
May I come to the campus to pick up my child or send someone else in my place? Hide: Only you, or someone you have specifically pre-authorized on the school’s emergency form, may pick up your child. In a crisis situation you do not need to call in advance to pick up your child(ren). School staff follow a strict “check-out” procedure to release your child(ren) from school supervision either to you or your pre-authorized designee. PLEASE NOTE: You must include your carpool driver among those you have pre-authorized if you want your child(ren) to be released to that driver in an emergency.
What happens to my child if pick up is delayed? Hide: Your child(ren) will be cared for by school staff and faculty until picked up. Provisions have been made for an overnight stay if necessary.
What should I do to prepare in advance of a disaster? Hide: We suggest that you discuss pick up arrangements with other Brentwood School families in your neighborhood and that you develop plans of action. It is essential that you pre-authorize using the proper school emergency information forms. Please keep your contact information current. It is not enough to call the school to update. You must complete new emergency information forms in writing as needed. These are available in each division office or click here.