California Code § 102417(g)(9)(A): Fire & Disaster Drills

California Code 102417(g)(9)(A) requires family child care homes to conduct both fire drills and disaster drills at least once every six months. Fire drills practice evacuating the home quickly and safely, while disaster drills cover scenarios like earthquakes, lockdowns, or other emergencies specific to your area. These drills must include all children in care—not just the older ones or only during convenient times—and must be documented with dates and times in writing.

As of November 23, 2025, 40 facilities have been cited for Fire & Disaster Drills violations in the past 90 days. This represents 0.53% of the 7,551 facilities inspected, or approximately 1 in 189 family child care homes across California. Citations were issued across 16 counties, with Los Angeles County leading at 8 facilities, followed by San Diego and Orange counties with 5 each, Alameda with 4, and Riverside with 3. While not the most common citation, it's frequent enough to warrant attention—especially since compliance is straightforward with proper documentation.

Inspectors cite this regulation when providers cannot produce written documentation of drills conducted within the past six months. Common triggers include: failing to document drills with specific dates and times (saying 'we practice all the time' isn't sufficient); only conducting fire drills while skipping disaster drills for earthquakes or lockdowns; practicing drills exclusively during naptime or with just older children instead of all enrolled kids; or having no drill log at all. The key issue isn't that providers don't practice evacuations—it's that they don't write it down or only do one type of drill.

Create a simple drill log and post it somewhere visible in your home, like inside a kitchen cabinet or near your licensing binder. Set phone reminders for January 1st and July 1st each year to conduct both a fire drill and a disaster drill. When you practice, write down the date, time, type of drill (fire or disaster), and how it went. Include all children present—even infants and toddlers. Keep this log at your family child care home so inspectors can review it during visits. The entire process takes 10 minutes twice a year, plus about 30 seconds to document each drill.

If you receive this citation, immediately conduct both a fire drill and a disaster drill (if you haven't done them recently), and document each with the date, time, and what you practiced. Create a going-forward system: set up recurring calendar reminders for every six months and prepare a simple log sheet to track future drills. Submit your Plan of Correction showing your completed drills and your new documentation system. Most licensing officers accept correction quickly once you demonstrate you've established a reliable drill schedule with proper record-keeping. If you're unsure whether your documentation meets requirements, contact your regional licensing office before submitting your POC.