California Code § 101174(d): Disaster Drill Schedule

📋Type B Violation🏢Affects: Child Care Centers

ℹ️ Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer →

What Is California Code § 101174(d): Disaster Drill Schedule?

California Code § 101174(d)

Disaster drills shall be conducted at least every six months.

💬What Providers Tell Us

Based on community experience — not official guidance

Inspectors ask to see your drill log, and they count backward from today. If you can't show two drills in the last twelve months, spaced roughly six months apart, that's a write-up. They also ask staff what the drill procedure is. If your staff look confused or give different answers, inspectors note that too. The trick is picking drill dates that are easy to remember, like the first week of January and July. Write the date, time, number of children present, evacuation time, and any issues on your log. Inspectors want to see that you actually practiced, not just signed a piece of paper. Some licensing analysts in Solano and LA counties have been checking this more closely lately, with 4 citations each in the past 90 days.

facilities cited (last 90 days)

That's 1 in 5000 facilities

counties affected

most common citation

📉

Decreasing

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days

7 facilities (was 18)11 facilities

Source: California CCLD inspection records | Data as of Apr 6, 2026. Last updated April 6, 2026.

7 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days.

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What Other Providers Do for Disaster Drill Schedule

Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

✓ Common Practices

Ensure facility meets all applicable building and safety codes
Obtain necessary permits and approvals from local authorities
Complete required inspections by fire, health, and building departments
Address any code violations or safety issues before licensing
Maintain facility in compliance with all ongoing code requirements

❌ Common Mistakes

Running drills but not documenting them properly. Providers do the drill and forget to log the date, time, number of children, and evacuation details. Without documentation, the inspector treats it as if the drill never happened.
Scheduling both drills too close together, like in consecutive months, then going ten months without one. CCLD expects roughly six-month intervals. Two drills in January and February doesn't satisfy the requirement for the rest of the year.
Only practicing one type of drill. Section 101174 covers disaster and mass casualty plans broadly, not just fire. Providers who only do fire drills miss earthquake and lockdown scenarios that inspectors may ask about.
Having a written plan but never actually rehearsing it with current staff. New hires who started after the last drill don't know the evacuation routes or assembly points, and inspectors notice when they ask individual staff members.

What's Being Cited in Each Region Over the Past 90 Days

Based on facility inspection reports filed with California's Community Care Licensing Division, here's how this citation appears across different regions in the past 90 days.

Los Angeles County

3 citations

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Orange County

1 citations

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San Diego County

1 citations

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San Joaquin County

1 citations

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Contra Costa County

1 citations

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Data updated weekly from CCLD public records. Last update: 4/6/2026

A single Type A citation can cost $150-$500+ in civil penalties, not counting the follow-up inspection it triggers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is Disaster Drill Schedule?

California Code 101174(d) requires your facility to conduct disaster drills at least every six months. These drills go beyond fire evacuations to include earthquakes, lockdowns, and other emergencies covered in your disaster and mass casualty plan. Running the drill isn't enough on its own. You need to document the date, time, number of children present, and evacuation details each time, or inspectors treat it as if the drill never happened.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of February 08, 2026, 15 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 7 California counties. That works out to roughly 1 in 2,667 inspected facilities. Solano and Los Angeles counties each had 4 citations, and San Bernardino had 3. Licensing analysts in these counties have been checking drill logs more closely, counting backward from the inspection date to verify proper spacing.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors ask to see your drill log and count backward from today's date. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, they verify you have at least two drills in the last twelve months spaced roughly six months apart. Two drills in back-to-back months followed by a ten-month gap doesn't satisfy the requirement. They also pull individual staff members aside and ask them to describe the evacuation procedure. If newer staff can't explain the drill steps, inspectors document that as evidence the plan isn't being practiced.

How can I prevent this citation?

Pick two fixed months each year for drills, like January and July, so you never lose track. Log the date, time, number of children present, evacuation time, and any problems on a simple drill record sheet. Practice different scenarios each time: fire one round, earthquake the next. Make sure every staff member, including recent hires, participates in at least one drill before their first month ends.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Conduct a drill immediately and document it with full details including date, time, participants, and evacuation time. Set up a recurring calendar reminder for drills every six months. Brief all current staff on evacuation routes and assembly points, then have each person sign off that they understand the plan. Submit your correction with the completed drill log and your new schedule. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

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This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed childcare compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

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