Disaster Planning for Children Disaster Planning for Children and Familiesand Families

Lou Romig MD, FAAP, FACEPLou Romig MD, FAAP, FACEP

Miami Children’s HospitalMiami Children’s Hospital

FL-5 DMATFL-5 DMAT

Best practices?Best practices?

We’re getting practice We’ve got little data Every practice setting is different

Just like kids, no plan or policy fits all.

Getting a gripGetting a grip

The 9-11 attacks, Katrina and the threat of pandemic flu have skewed our planning processes

The basics must be tackled first and addressed with solid plans.

For children, there’s nothing more basic than familyfamily.

You don’t You don’t need a need a distinct distinct

Pediatric Pediatric Plan if Plan if you…you…

Empower and supportEmpower and support

FamiliesFamilies

Family IssuesFamily Issues

Every day can be a disaster

Strengthen critical community infrastructure to meet the daily needs of children and their caregivers

Family IssuesFamily Issues

The family is the strongest unit of survival Personal identification

• On each person• Family records• Centralized records (photos,

fingerprints, DNA)

Family IssuesFamily Issues

The family is the strongest unit of survival Family identification

• Begin data collection and identification at the time of first contact with the response system

• Develop family identifiers (photos, unique numbers, barcodes)

Family IssuesFamily Issues

The family is the strongest unit of survival Keep families together

• Shelter families together• Evacuate families together• Take the time to do it right • Optimize existing resources to

assist with record-keeping and planning

Family IssuesFamily Issues

The family is the strongest unit of survival Reunification in family planning

• School and workplace plans• Rendezvous points• Communication plans• Identifying materials as a part of

evacuation supplies

Family IssuesFamily Issues

The family is the strongest unit of survival Reunification planning by

agencies• Assist with integration of

documentation systems across agencies

• Support appropriate identification record programs

• Work with reunification agencies and programs before a disaster occurs

Family IssuesFamily Issues

Family disaster preparedness isn’t cheap Encourage preparedness incentives

• Insurance discounts• Tax-free days, tax credits(?)

Expand funding programs to help pay for supplies/equipment

• Medications/Medical goods• Food/formula• Batteries, flashlights, etc

Community service projects addressing family preparedness

Disaster SheltersDisaster Shelters

Family-friendly

Family-safe

Family-functional

Family IssuesFamily Issues

Family-friendly shelters Allow families to remain

together and care for each other Plans consider the special

needs of children• Food• Supplies• Hygiene• Activities• Psychological support

Family IssuesFamily Issues

Family-safe shelters Healthy environment

• Smoke free• Drug/alcohol free

Safety and security• “Child-proofing”• Supervision• Exit/internal security• Ability to isolate children from

disturbing situations

Family IssuesFamily Issues

Family-functional shelters Information center Recovery resources available Access to communication resources Access to medical care/resources Child care/supervision

• Organize shelter occupants to assist• Utilize community child care workers• Utilize community mental health/child

life resources for therapeutic play and psychological guidance for families

Family IssuesFamily Issues

Psychology: Strength vs. scarring A culture of disaster

preparedness Make disaster preparedness a

part of the way we bring up our children• “Duck and cover”

Information about pediatric disaster Information about pediatric disaster psychology is abundant.psychology is abundant.

Pediatric mental health programs are not.Pediatric mental health programs are not.

Family IssuesFamily Issues

Psychology: Strength vs. scarring Parents/caregivers School personnel Primary medical care providers Disaster responders

Advocate for stronger mental health systems.

Pediatric and Family Disaster Pediatric and Family Disaster Planning ResourcesPlanning Resources

Experienced parents Family representatives

School-based parent groups Parents of children with disabilities and

special medical/psychological needs

Primary care medical practitioners and professional organizations

Mental health professionals State EMS for Children programs

Pediatric and Family Disaster Pediatric and Family Disaster Planning ResourcesPlanning Resources

Pediatric Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness: A Resource for Pediatricians

www.ahrq.gov/research/pedprep/resource.htm

American Academy of Pediatrics “Children and Disasters” website

www.aap.org/terrorism

Columbia University National Center for Disaster Preparedness website

www.pediatricpreparedness.org/

Pediatric and Family Disaster Pediatric and Family Disaster Planning ResourcesPlanning Resources

National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies Disaster Planning Initiative

www.naccrra.org/disaster/

National Advisory Committee on Children and Terrorism Recommendations to the Secretary

www.bt.cdc.gov/children/recommend.asp

HRSA/MCHB EMS for Children Program website

http://bolivia.hrsa.gov/emsc/

Pediatric and Family Disaster Pediatric and Family Disaster Planning ResourcesPlanning Resources

FEMA for Kids websitewww.fema.gov/kids

Ready Kids websitewww.ready.gov/kids

JumpSTART websitewww.jumpstarttriage.com

Challenges to YouChallenges to You

Focus on the basics Focus on families Think like a parent Empower the caregivers to give

the care

Challenges to YouChallenges to You

Recruit the help of child and family advocates

Use the knowledge and experience of others

Collect data!