TARTAGLIONE RESOLUTION AIMS AT CHILD-CARE PREPAREDNESS

HARRISBURG, May 1, 2003 -- As Pennsylvania prepares for the possibility of terrorism, officials should not forget to plan for those who can’t do it for themselves, state Sen. Christine Tartaglione said today.

            “Although government buildings and private offices have tightened security and boosted preparedness in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the children of those office workers remain vulnerable,” Tartaglione said.

            Tartaglione today introduced Senate Resolution 81 calling on emergency planners to come up with guidelines on how day-care centers and educational facilities should respond in the event of a terrorist attack with weapons of mass destruction.

            “Every day millions of Pennsylvania children are not under the supervision of their parents and ensuring their health and safety is critical,” Tartaglione said.  “Unfortunately, most daycare and educational facilities in the Commonwealth do not have the expertise necessary to prepare contingency plans in the response to the newest type of terrorist threats.”

            Tartaglione’s resolution calls for the state Office of Homeland Security and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to cooperate with the Departments of Welfare, Health and Education to formulate guidelines to help child-care providers and educational facilities prepare for situations involving biological, chemical, or radiological weapons.  The resolution seeks to address the concerns of administrators and parents regarding this potential threat.

             “I want to make sure that our children who are out of sight are not out of mind.” Tartaglione said.  “A terrorist attack could possibly thwart evacuation plans that childcare and educational facilities may have previously considered.  Senate Resolution 81 was crafted to ensure this concern is properly addressed.” 

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