School emergencies and pickup plans
If an emergency hits during the school day, your children follow the school's plan, not yours. This page helps parents learn that plan, keep contact and pickup details current, and know when to wait rather than rush to the gate.
Foundation for every scenarioEach step names the official source it comes from. Tap the name to see the source.
In the UAEAbu Dhabi schools must post their health and safety policy on their website and run emergency drills at least once a year, so parents can read the plan there.Abu Dhabi Department o
Prepare
- Learn the school's emergency plan, including how it will reach you and reunite families.CDC
- Ask where parents should go to collect children after an evacuation.CDC
- Tell the school straight away when your phone number or address changes.CDC
- Name a backup person the school can call if your phone fails.CDC
- Choose who will collect your children if you cannot, and give the school their name.Canada
- Put an emergency card in each child's bag listing contacts, medicines and allergies.CDC
- Give the school any medicines your child may need, such as an inhaler.CDC
- Talk with your children about how you would find each other if separated.CDC
Use and maintain
- Watch for school messages by text or app; Abu Dhabi schools must have fast parent alerts.Abu Dhabi Department o
- If students are evacuated, do not go to the school; wait until officials say pickup is safe.CDC
- Follow official instructions to shelter in place or evacuate.CDC
- Watch for official text alerts from NCEMA, the Interior Ministry and police.u.ae
- Use texts or messages if calls fail, and keep any calls short.Canada
- Stay calm and explain events to children in simple words.CDC
Review and restock
- Wait for the school to share the reunification location after the all clear.Abu Dhabi Department o
- Expect children to be released only to a parent or verified pick-up person.Abu Dhabi Department o
- Keep children with you or another trusted adult and reassure them.CDC
- Ask about mental health support; Abu Dhabi schools must offer it after serious whole-school emergencies.Abu Dhabi Department o
- Join any parent debrief the school or nursery holds and share feedback.Abu Dhabi Department o
- Check how the school will keep in touch if it stays closed.Welsh Government
- Review the plan with the school every year and keep contacts current.CDC
Watch: 60-second guides
School emergencies and pickup plans
Videos need an internet connection. Some videos mention numbers for other countries: in the UAE call 999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 fire. More on our YouTube channel.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get started with school emergencies and pickup plans?
- Learn the school's emergency plan, including how it will reach you and reunite families.CDC
- Ask where parents should go to collect children after an evacuation.CDC
- Tell the school straight away when your phone number or address changes.CDC
- Name a backup person the school can call if your phone fails.CDC
What are the key steps for school emergencies and pickup plans?
- Watch for school messages by text or app; Abu Dhabi schools must have fast parent alerts.Abu Dhabi Department o
- If students are evacuated, do not go to the school; wait until officials say pickup is safe.CDC
- Follow official instructions to shelter in place or evacuate.CDC
- Watch for official text alerts from NCEMA, the Interior Ministry and police.u.ae
What should I do after an emergency (school emergencies and pickup plans)?
- Wait for the school to share the reunification location after the all clear.Abu Dhabi Department o
- Expect children to be released only to a parent or verified pick-up person.Abu Dhabi Department o
- Keep children with you or another trusted adult and reassure them.CDC
What should I have ready for school emergencies and pickup plans?
- Emergency card in each child's school bagCDC
- Matching contact card in your walletCDC
- School and nursery contact detailsCDC
- Name of the person chosen to collect your childrenCanada
- Backup contacts if you cannot be reachedCDC
- Extra essential medicines, such as an inhalerCDC
- Extra food, milk or formula and overnight items your child needsCDC
- School and childcare details written into your family planFEMA
Is there anything specific to know in the UAE?
Abu Dhabi schools must post their health and safety policy on their website and run emergency drills at least once a year, so parents can read the plan there.Abu Dhabi Department o
Answers are based only on the sourced steps on this page and their official sources.
Official sources
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Before, During, and After an Emergency
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Keeping Children Safe Away from Home
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lost and Found: Reuniting with Loved Ones in an Emergency
- Government of Canada: Make an emergency plan
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Make a Plan Form
- Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK): School Health and Safety Policy
- Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK): Early Education Institutions Emergency Management Policy
- UAE Government Portal (u.ae): Handling emergencies
- Welsh Government (GOV.WALES): Emergency planning and response guidance for education and childcare settings
Steps are written in our own words from these pages. If advice from your local authority differs, follow your local authority.
Last reviewed against these sources: 27 October 2026.