There are at least five schools--preschool through junior high--in the Canyon. Each has an emergency plan and T-CEP has coordinated its emergency planning with them.

Be sure that your personal/family plan, and the school's, dovetail. For example, if the school's plan is to evacuate the students to a location outside the Canyon, be sure the student understands that you may not be able to pick him up immediately. Talk about the emergency plan with the student. Children can imagine all kinds of terrible things when they are kept in ignorance--better by far to encourage them to talk about the issues so they will have some basis for imagining less terrible things.

If you intend to go after your child on your own, be sure to talk this over with the school and the parents' organization-you don't want to cause a traffic tie-up at the school that might interfere with the arrival of firefighting or safety forces such as the school's evacuation busses.

Fortunately the schools in the Canyon are located on or near relatively firesafe refuge areas-the Community House, Topanga Elementary School and the Big Rock Recreation area.

Get involved with your school's emergency plan. Support your child by making sure his or her emergency package is in good condition and has some treats and favorite toys included. It may never be used, but it can make an immense difference if it is. Becoming actively involved with the school's emergency plan will help reassure you that your child will be looked after in a real situation and will reassure your child that you have taken care for him or her.