Fact-finding survey on evacuation planning and disaster preparedness for nursery schools in A city, Mie Prefecture, where tsunami damage is expected

Abstract

【Purpose】 In Mie Prefecture, it is assumed that there is a 70–80% probability of tsunami damage occurring within the next 30 years. As a secondary pediatric emergency medical facility and disaster base hospital, it is important for more hospital workers to be able to continue working after a tsunami. Approximately 20% of hospital workers leave their infants at nursery schools. Therefore, in order to determine whether hospital workers can continue working, we surveyed the actual tsunami evacuation plans and disaster countermeasures of nursery schools. 【Methods】 A total of 33 nursery schools in A city, Mie Prefecture, were surveyed using a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. 【Results】 29 facilities responded, resulting in a response rate of 87.9% (valid response rate: 100%). Of the 18 nursery schools (with a total of 691 children) in the tsunami inundation zone, five did not have a tsunami evacuation plan. Additionally, although they had stockpiles of items necessary for childcare, they lacked supplies related to crisis management, such as communication equipment. Furthermore, 18 facilities (60.7%) did not plan to continue or resume childcare services. 【Conclusion】 It was confirmed that the nursery schools’ tsunami evacuation and business continuity plans were insufficient. Tsunami damage and disruption of childcare operations for infants and toddlers may hinder the increase in medical needs for pediatric emergencies and the staffing of hospital workers.