17. Fire Drills

Question 1

Fire Drills

Answer 1

~ fire drills are required to be conducted as part of the monthly required emergency drills, so children and adults in the child care program know what to do during an emergency and reduce the fear that may occur
~ when a fire drill is conducted, the approved alarm system must be used so children and staff become comfortable with the noise it makes
~ during the fire drill or actual emergency, a current attendance record must accompany staff out of the building to account for all children in care
~ when the alarm system alert is activated or initiated, all adults and children must evacuate the program, including families; people who may be visiting the program; or those not working directly with the children, such as office staff
~ a written record of the fire drills is required to be maintained for 12 months from the date of the fire drills
~ the written fire drill record must show the date, number of children and staff in attendance, evacuation route used, and time taken for all individuals to exit the building

Question 2

At a minimum, the following fire drills must be conducted:

Answer 2

• One fire drill using an alternative evacuation route (an alternative exit to the typical route)
• One fire drill during napping or sleeping times
• One fire drill in the presence and at the request of the licensing authority with coordination of the operator or designee

Question 3

‼️

Answer 3

School-age child care programs are not required to conduct fire drills during napping or sleeping times.