School Pickup Plans: Getting Your Child During Disasters

When Disaster Strikes: Your Child's Safety Comes First

Picture this: You're at work when your phone buzzes with an emergency alert. There's a wildfire burning five miles from your child's school, and the winds are picking up. Your heart races as you grab your keys, but then you pause—what exactly is your plan? Where do you go? Who can pick up your child if you can't get there in time?

Every parent's worst nightmare involves their child being in danger while they're not there to protect them. When wildfires threaten communities, these fears become real, and they happen fast. Wildfire evacuations can happen with as little as 15 minutes notice [8]. That's barely enough time to grab your keys and get in the car, let alone figure out a plan on the fly.

Schools are required by law to have emergency plans for reuniting children with families, and they drill these procedures regularly [1]. But here's the thing: having your own family plan is just as important. During wildfire 'SET' conditions—that middle phase between being ready and needing to evacuate immediately—parents should consider early pickup as situations can deteriorate rapidly [3]. The difference between a calm, organized pickup and a panicked scramble often comes down to preparation you do right now, on an ordinary day when the sky is clear and the threat feels distant.