The pediatric staff in local children's hospitals are usually involved in the development of the disaster plan. In general hospitals this may not be the case. In addition, alternatives need to be considered in the event of a loss of power and conventional telephone use. Backup systems such as cellular phones, direct telephone lines that are not part of the regular telephone system, two-way radios, beepers, and ham radios should be considered. In areas where pediatricians cover several hospitals, initiate pools through the county medical or pediatric society to provide uniform pediatric coverage of area hospitals.
Pediatricians can aid schools and child care centers in developing disaster plans.
In California, state law requires each state-licensed child care facility and all schools to develop and maintain a disaster and mass casualty plan. After a distaster, offices or clinics may become sites for care if area hospitals are unable to provide services. Recent experiences have demonstrated that health care may be administered in parking lots, malls, and tents using limited power and water sources. Local offices were unusable and alternative sites for primary care had to be identified. Pediatricians should prepare, regularly update, and practice an office disaster plan addressing response and recovery issues.