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Tri-EPIC Regional Emergency Planning Committee
Core Members:
Towns of Brimfield, Charlton,
Douglas,
Dudley,
Oxford,
Southbridge,
Sturbridge,
Webster, and
Harrington Memorial Hospital
in partnership with: American Red Cross, Central MA EMS Corp., Central Region Homeland Security Council,
MA Emergency Management Agency, MA State Police, Overlook Life Care, Radius Healthcare
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Preparedness - Schools
Children and Their Response to Disaster
Children depend on daily routines: They wake up, eat breakfast, go to school, play with friends. When emergencies or disasters interrupt this routine, children may become anxious.
In a disaster, they'll look to you and other adults for help. How you react to an emergency gives them clues on how to act. If you react with alarm, a child may become more scared. They see our fear as proof that the danger is real. If you seem overcome with a sense of loss, a child may feel their losses more strongly.
Children's fears also may stem from their imagination, and you should take these feelings seriously. A child who feels afraid is afraid. Your words and actions can provide reassurance. When talking with your child, be sure to present a realistic picture that is both honest and manageable.
Feelings of fear are healthy and natural for adults and children. But as an adult, you need to keep control of the situation. When you're sure that danger has passed, concentrate on your child's emotional needs by asking the child what's uppermost in his or her mind. Having children participate in the family's recovery activities will help them feel that their life will return to "normal." Your response during this time may have a lasting impact.
Be aware that after a disaster, children are most afraid that--
- The event will happen again.
- Someone will be injured or killed.
- They will be separated from the family.
- They will be left alone.
Additional information is available at:
FEMA for Kids
Resources for Parents and Teachers
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Proud Sponsor of Tri-EPIC
Calendar of Events
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Tri-EPIC REPC Meetings are posted on the Home Page
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