The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3025.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 1

Abstract #52068

Child Environmental Health at School Post 9/11: Early Lessons Learned

Claire L. Barnett, MBA, Healthy Schools Network, Inc., 773 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, 518-462-0632, cbarnett@healthyschools.org

On September 11, 2001, at 8:48 A.M., a coordinated terror attack began the destruction and collapse of the World Trade Center, a massive complex near seven public schools. While receiving little media attention, New York State mandates school emergency management planning; but on the fourth day of school, few personnel knew the names of the more than 8,000 students, and not one had conducted a fire drill or collected emergency contact cards. Planned evacuation routes were closed; mass transit stopped; dangerous debris clogged streets; communication lines were down. There were no plans for long-term alternative educational placements, and debate continues over the responsibility and standards for 'clearing' a building for re-occupancy by children. Preliminary policy recommendations are proposed, based on extensive on-site interviews and reviews of current state regulations.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will

Keywords: Healthy Buildings, Children's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Infrastructure Development: Creating Healthier School Facilities

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA