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Emergency Procedures

School Garden

What should I do in case of school emergencies, like wildfires or earthquakes?

It is very important that everyone know and understand the following information.

Safety is our number one priority at Topanga Elementary.

Emergency Procedures for Topanga Elementary School         
Updated December 2004         

School Number: 310 455-3711
T-CEP (Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness) Hotline: 310 455-3000
Information on the Internet: www.t-cep.org

Important Actions to Take before an Emergency:

  1. Please make sure your child's emergency cards are up to date.
  2. Update this card regularly.
  3. Make sure your child knows who may take them home.
  4. Discuss your plan with your emergency contacts. Make sure they are not on more than 2 emergency cards if possible.

In Case of Wildfire
Topanga Elementary School is not located in a historic fire path and is a Red Cross Shelter because of our safe conditions. However, in case of a wildfire, please follow these instructions so that children can be safely and calmly reunited with their families.

  1. Topanga Elementary is an evacuation location. The Red Cross will establish a shelter on our campus. The school is the safest place for your children, according to 3 L.A. County Assistant Fire Chiefs.
  2. Call the school, T-CEP hotline or check www.topangaelementary.org to find out more about the situation. You will be instructed on how and where to pick up your children.
  3. Park along the side of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and walk up Topanga School Road to the office or reunion gate. If you are picking up someone else's child, call them and let them know. You will be asked to leave the address and phone number of where you are going with someone else's child. Do not block the Boulevard, Topanga School Road or park in the Fire Lane.
  4. As per instructions from the Fire Department, children will be dismissed from their classrooms. You must check with the office or reunion gate first and sign them out. You must have a photo I.D. Only those adults listed on the emergency cards will be able to sign children out.
  5. Be calm and quiet. Your demeanor will affect your children. Leave the campus once you have picked up your child.

In Case of Earthquake
The same procedures apply for the release of children. In this case, children will be moved to the upper playground area so they are away from any structures. The emergency bins contain first aid and sanitary supplies for 300 people for 3 days. There are also 5,000 gallons of potable water and your child's comfort bag.

Please do not run to the upper yard. Check in at the office or reunion gate. If an evacuation is called for, the sites will be announced on the school number and T-CEP hotline.

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