Child caregivers learn preparedness in Bartlett | News

Recently hundreds of excited child care professionals gathered for a daylong conference, "Super Saturday" Emergency Preparedness Training, at Christ Church in Bartlett. The event was sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

Cheryl Yarbro, interim manager of operations and training officer from the Shelby County Office of Preparedness, Kasia Smith-Alexander, manager of public health preparedness from the Shelby County Health Department, Karen Thompson, M.Ed, and Brian Blake, program coordinator from the Central United States Earthquake Consortium, provided interesting lectures and hands-on training throughout the day.

The conference's mission was to ensure that each child care provider knew exactly what to do in case of an emergency and how to protect the young children and staff in their day care centers.

This preparedness training was designed to lower the risk of potential injury, mortality and psychological trauma in the event of a disaster.

Throughout the day, the participants learned about the risks they face living and working in Shelby County such as earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, ice storms, terrorism, major fires, power outages and hazardous chemical spills. They were asked to rate each potential hazard and how it will affect their home life as well as their day care center. Making important split-second decisions such as when to shelter-in-place or evacuate, whether at home or at work, where discussed in detail.

After the lectures, the group was taught practical hands-on preparedness skills such as how to assemble a disaster kit, how to turn off a gas or water meter and how to turn off electrical power.

Door prizes were given to delighted participants such as CERT disaster kits, flashlights, and other preparedness goodies.

The attendees left the event with more confidence and assurance that they will be able to lead their day care center successfully through a disaster until professional rescuers arrive on the scene.

Organizers and partner participants for the event included Child Care Resource and Referral, Department of Human Services Child Care Licensing, Shelby County Office of Preparedness, Shelby County Health Department, Memphis Family Child Care Association, Memphis Association for the Education of Young Children, Tennessee Network of Child Care Providers, Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance, Sisterhood Support Group, QUALI-T Yes for Early Childhood Professionals, Sam's Club, Learning House, Honey Baked Ham, Sisterhood Support Group, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Andrew D. Gattas, Knowledge Tree and Michael Armstrong, of the U.S. Food Service.

Information provided by the Shelby County Office of Preparedness.