Disaster PreparationDisaster Preparation

ForFor

Individuals Individuals

With With

DisabilitiesDisabilities

Jacquie BrennanJacquie Brennan

Attorney At LawAttorney At Law

DBTAC Southwest ADA CenterDBTAC Southwest ADA Center

A Word of ThanksA Word of Thanks

• ILRU at Memorial Hermann/TIRRILRU at Memorial Hermann/TIRR

• June KailesJune Kailes

• JAN’s Employers’ Guide for Evac PlansJAN’s Employers’ Guide for Evac Plans

• Time MagazineTime Magazine

A National Culture A National Culture of of

UnpreparednessUnpreparedness

Ancient HistoryAncient History

N O L AN O L A

Building CodesBuilding Codes

LouisianaLouisianaFloridaFloridaMississippiMississippi

PreparationPreparation

The Gulf Coast is not prepared for The Gulf Coast is not prepared for the next big storm. the next big storm.

In the months since Katrina, the rest In the months since Katrina, the rest of the U.S. has not proved to be a of the U.S. has not proved to be a quicker study than the Gulf Coast. quicker study than the Gulf Coast.

Trickle Down ApathyTrickle Down Apathy

There is still no federal law requiring There is still no federal law requiring state and local officials to plan for state and local officials to plan for the evacuation of the sick, elderly, the evacuation of the sick, elderly, poor or individuals with disabilities. poor or individuals with disabilities.

But earlier this year, both houses of But earlier this year, both houses of Congress triumphantly passed bills Congress triumphantly passed bills that require locals to plan for the that require locals to plan for the evacuation of pets.evacuation of pets.

Trickle Down ApathyTrickle Down Apathy

In June, the Department of Homeland In June, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an Security (DHS) released an unprecedented analysis of state and unprecedented analysis of state and urban emergency plans around the urban emergency plans around the country, including assessments of country, including assessments of evacuation plans and command evacuation plans and command structures. The report concluded that structures. The report concluded that most "cannot be characterized as fully most "cannot be characterized as fully adequate, feasible, or acceptable." adequate, feasible, or acceptable."

Worst PerformersWorst Performers

DallasDallas New OrleansNew Orleans Oklahoma CityOklahoma City

By far the best – Florida!By far the best – Florida!

It’s not just bureaucratsIt’s not just bureaucrats

In a TIME poll, about half of those In a TIME poll, about half of those surveyed said they had personally surveyed said they had personally experienced a natural disaster or experienced a natural disaster or public emergency. public emergency.

But only 16% said they were "very But only 16% said they were "very well prepared" for the next one. Of well prepared" for the next one. Of the rest, about half explained their the rest, about half explained their lack of preparedness by saying they lack of preparedness by saying they don't live in a high-risk area.don't live in a high-risk area.

But in factBut in fact……

In fact, 91% of Americans live in places at In fact, 91% of Americans live in places at a moderate-to-high risk of earthquakes, a moderate-to-high risk of earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, volcanoes, tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, high-wind damage or terrorism, flooding, high-wind damage or terrorism, according to an estimate by the Hazards according to an estimate by the Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute at the and Vulnerability Research Institute at the University of South Carolina. University of South Carolina.

But Americans have a tendency to be die-But Americans have a tendency to be die-hard optimists, literally. It is part of what hard optimists, literally. It is part of what makes the country great--and vincible. makes the country great--and vincible.

Four Stages of Disaster Four Stages of Disaster DenialDenial

It won’t happen here.It won’t happen here.Even if it happens here, it won’t Even if it happens here, it won’t

happen to me.happen to me.Even if it happens to me, it won’t be Even if it happens to me, it won’t be

that bad.that bad.Even if it’s that bad, there’s nothing I Even if it’s that bad, there’s nothing I

could have done about it anyway.could have done about it anyway.

Too poor to evacuate?Too poor to evacuate?

The conventional wisdom after Katrina was that most of the The conventional wisdom after Katrina was that most of the people who failed to evacuate were too poor to do so. But a recent people who failed to evacuate were too poor to do so. But a recent survey in eight hurricane-prone states showed that other forces survey in eight hurricane-prone states showed that other forces may also be at play. may also be at play.

The survey, led by Robert Blendon, professor of health policy and The survey, led by Robert Blendon, professor of health policy and political analysis at the Harvard School of Public Health, attempted political analysis at the Harvard School of Public Health, attempted to determine what, if anything, would pry people from their homes to determine what, if anything, would pry people from their homes in the face of another Katrina. in the face of another Katrina.

Overall, 33% said they would not leave or were not sure whether Overall, 33% said they would not leave or were not sure whether they would leave if an evacuation order was given. But it was they would leave if an evacuation order was given. But it was homeowners, at 39%, who were particularly stubborn. homeowners, at 39%, who were particularly stubborn.

Lack of funds or transportation does play a role for stay-behinds, Lack of funds or transportation does play a role for stay-behinds, but according to the poll, a greater consideration is a vague belief but according to the poll, a greater consideration is a vague belief that their home is built well enough to survive a storm--a that their home is built well enough to survive a storm--a justification offered by a whopping 68%.justification offered by a whopping 68%.

Rescue Me!Rescue Me!

66% of those surveyed were also 66% of those surveyed were also confident that if they stayed at confident that if they stayed at home, they would eventually be home, they would eventually be rescued--a faith hardly justified by rescued--a faith hardly justified by the Katrina experience. the Katrina experience.

Ours is a strange culture of irrational Ours is a strange culture of irrational distrust--buoyed by irrational distrust--buoyed by irrational optimism.optimism.

Yeah, but I’m not old!Yeah, but I’m not old!

Heat waves bring out the same kind of self-Heat waves bring out the same kind of self-delusion. Scott Sheridan, professor of geography delusion. Scott Sheridan, professor of geography at Kent State University, has studied heat-wave at Kent State University, has studied heat-wave behavior--focusing particularly on seniors, who behavior--focusing particularly on seniors, who are at special risk in hot weather--in Philadelphia, are at special risk in hot weather--in Philadelphia, Phoenix, Toronto, and Dayton.Phoenix, Toronto, and Dayton.

He found that less than half of people 65 and He found that less than half of people 65 and older abide by heat-emergency recommendations older abide by heat-emergency recommendations like drinking lots of water. like drinking lots of water.

Reason: they don't consider themselves to be old. Reason: they don't consider themselves to be old.

Kathleen Tierney, head of Kathleen Tierney, head of the Natural Hazards Centerthe Natural Hazards Center

"We as human societies have yet to "We as human societies have yet to understand ... that nature doesn't care. understand ... that nature doesn't care. And for that reason, we must care." And for that reason, we must care."

People with disabilities:People with disabilities:

– are not currently included in emergency are not currently included in emergency planning and little, if any, communication planning and little, if any, communication exists between planners and the disability exists between planners and the disability community; community;

– have a wide variety of communication, have a wide variety of communication, support and health needs that differentiate support and health needs that differentiate them from persons without disabilities;them from persons without disabilities;

– often live in low income areas that include often live in low income areas that include areas at higher risk for chemical areas at higher risk for chemical emergencies.emergencies.

How to PrepareHow to Prepare

The very first thing to think about, The very first thing to think about, long before you are faced with an long before you are faced with an emergency is:emergency is:

How To LeaveHow To Leave

A Way OutA Way Out

Decide now how you will get out in case of an Decide now how you will get out in case of an emergency. emergency.

Plan how you will leave your house, as well as Plan how you will leave your house, as well as how you will leave your city. how you will leave your city.

Make a drawing of the layout of your house. Plan Make a drawing of the layout of your house. Plan an escape route in the event of a sudden an escape route in the event of a sudden disaster. In a child’s room, this should be posted disaster. In a child’s room, this should be posted at the child’s eye level. at the child’s eye level.

Make a plan of where to meet outside the house – Make a plan of where to meet outside the house – either at a neighbor’s house or maybe at a either at a neighbor’s house or maybe at a neighborhood store a few blocks away.neighborhood store a few blocks away.

A Total Turn-OffA Total Turn-Off

For some emergencies and/or evacuations, For some emergencies and/or evacuations, you might be instructed to turn off your you might be instructed to turn off your utilities before you leave home. utilities before you leave home.

Find out how to turn off the water, gas, Find out how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity to your house before you’re and electricity to your house before you’re in the middle of a disaster. in the middle of a disaster.

Do not turn your own gas back on. You Do not turn your own gas back on. You must have a professional do that.must have a professional do that.

Every family member should have a card with important information on it. This is a sample published by FEMA:

Got Papers?Got Papers?

Keep important papers in a safe Keep important papers in a safe location. location.

That is pretty simple. That is pretty simple. The hard part may be deciding what The hard part may be deciding what

to include in the category of to include in the category of “important papers.” “important papers.”

What is ImportantWhat is Important Identification – driver’s license, passportIdentification – driver’s license, passport Lease agreementLease agreement Insurance policiesInsurance policies Birth certificates, marriage certificates Birth certificates, marriage certificates Divorce papers, custody papers Divorce papers, custody papers Guardianship papers Guardianship papers Wills, powers of attorney Wills, powers of attorney Deeds Deeds Immunization records Immunization records Property records Property records Social security cards Social security cards

Names and NumbersNames and Numbers

All treating physicians All treating physicians Your bank Your bank Your therapists Your therapists Your pharmacyYour pharmacyFriends and family (do not depend Friends and family (do not depend

on your cell phone for numbers) on your cell phone for numbers)

ComputersComputers

If you keep important records, If you keep important records, especially financial information, especially financial information, on your computer, back up that on your computer, back up that information onto disks or a information onto disks or a portable drive that you can take portable drive that you can take with you.with you.

First Aid KitFirst Aid Kit

Your own first aid kit should include Your own first aid kit should include the usual items in a first aid kit plus the usual items in a first aid kit plus any prescription medications you any prescription medications you take. take.

Consider having a separate kit at Consider having a separate kit at work, at home, and even in the car.work, at home, and even in the car.

Home Sweet Home KitHome Sweet Home Kit

Your disaster supplies kit should contain Your disaster supplies kit should contain essential food, water, and supplies for at least essential food, water, and supplies for at least three days.three days.

Keep this kit in a designated place and have it Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.where the kit is kept.

Additionally, you may want to consider having Additionally, you may want to consider having supplies for sheltering for up to two weeks. supplies for sheltering for up to two weeks.

Home Away From HomeHome Away From HomeKit to Keep at WorkKit to Keep at Work

This kit should be in one container, This kit should be in one container, and ready to "grab and go" in case and ready to "grab and go" in case you are evacuated from your you are evacuated from your workplace.workplace.

Make sure you have food and water Make sure you have food and water in the kit. Also, be sure to have in the kit. Also, be sure to have comfortable walking shoes at your comfortable walking shoes at your workplace in case an evacuation workplace in case an evacuation requires walking long distances. requires walking long distances.

Car KitCar Kit

In case you are stranded, keep a kit In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.of emergency supplies in your car.

This kit should contain food, water, This kit should contain food, water, first aid supplies, flares, jumper first aid supplies, flares, jumper cables, and seasonal supplies. cables, and seasonal supplies.

Don’t ForgetDon’t Forget

Medical Equipment – make Medical Equipment – make arrangements to take it with you if arrangements to take it with you if you must evacuateyou must evacuate

Medical Supplies – get extras nowMedical Supplies – get extras nowPrescriptions – take the bottles with Prescriptions – take the bottles with

you, and also maintain a list with you, and also maintain a list with strengths and dosagesstrengths and dosages

To Leave or Not to LeaveTo Leave or Not to Leave

You may, at some point before or You may, at some point before or during a disaster, make a decision during a disaster, make a decision about whether to leave. Your decision about whether to leave. Your decision will likely be based on whether there will likely be based on whether there is time to leave, road conditions, and is time to leave, road conditions, and what emergency management officials what emergency management officials are advising. are advising.

If you have a disability…If you have a disability…

If you are hearing impaired, you might If you are hearing impaired, you might need to make special arrangements to need to make special arrangements to receive an alternative to the audible receive an alternative to the audible warnings that others will hear. warnings that others will hear.

If you have a mobility impairment, you If you have a mobility impairment, you may need to make special arrangements may need to make special arrangements for transportation and check on the for transportation and check on the accessibility of a shelter in advance. accessibility of a shelter in advance.

Or if…Or if…

If you have life-sustaining medical If you have life-sustaining medical equipment, you will need to make equipment, you will need to make arrangements for that to be arrangements for that to be evacuated with you. evacuated with you.

If you have special dietary needs, If you have special dietary needs, you need to be sure that you have an you need to be sure that you have an adequate emergency food supply. adequate emergency food supply.

At the first signAt the first sign

If evacuation is even mentioned as a If evacuation is even mentioned as a possibility, start gathering what you possibility, start gathering what you will need to take with you and don’t will need to take with you and don’t forget extra wheelchair batteries, forget extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, and oxygen, catheters, medication, and food for service animals.food for service animals.

RegistrationRegistration

Your community’s emergency management Your community’s emergency management office may offer the opportunity for office may offer the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to register in a individuals with disabilities to register in a database if they will need special assistance database if they will need special assistance during a disaster because of their disability. during a disaster because of their disability.

If you think you might want to register, be If you think you might want to register, be sure to ask what services are promised to sure to ask what services are promised to people who register and what the people who register and what the consequence is of not registering. consequence is of not registering.

PetsPets

Plan in advance for what you will do with your pets Plan in advance for what you will do with your pets (not service animals) by keeping extra pet supplies, (not service animals) by keeping extra pet supplies, keeping up-to-date veterinary records, making sure keeping up-to-date veterinary records, making sure your pet is wearing identification, and getting a pet your pet is wearing identification, and getting a pet carrier. carrier.

Contact animal shelters in advance to find out about Contact animal shelters in advance to find out about services they may offer during an evacuation. If you services they may offer during an evacuation. If you have an idea about where you will go if your area is have an idea about where you will go if your area is evacuated, call ahead to find out which hotels will evacuated, call ahead to find out which hotels will accept pets and/or where local animal boarding accept pets and/or where local animal boarding facilities are located in the place where you plan to go. facilities are located in the place where you plan to go. Take a description and a photo of your pet with you in Take a description and a photo of your pet with you in case you become separated. case you become separated.

Pets (with the exception of service animals) are Pets (with the exception of service animals) are generally not permitted in shelters.generally not permitted in shelters.

Animals of SizeAnimals of Size

Preparing before a disaster is crucial if you have Preparing before a disaster is crucial if you have large animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, large animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs on your property. goats, or pigs on your property.

Make sure all of the animals have identification, Make sure all of the animals have identification, and evacuate them, if at all possible. Be sure you and evacuate them, if at all possible. Be sure you have adequate vehicles, trailers, handlers, and have adequate vehicles, trailers, handlers, and drivers available. drivers available.

Make sure there is food, water, shelter, and care Make sure there is food, water, shelter, and care available and waiting at your destination. available and waiting at your destination.

If evacuation is impossible, then you will have to If evacuation is impossible, then you will have to decide whether to try to move the animals to decide whether to try to move the animals to shelter or turn them outside.shelter or turn them outside.

Service AnimalsService Animals

If you evacuate, be sure to take your service If you evacuate, be sure to take your service animal’s medications and medical records, animal’s medications and medical records, along with a sturdy harness and a carrier that along with a sturdy harness and a carrier that is large enough for the animal to stand, turn, is large enough for the animal to stand, turn, and lie down. and lie down.

Take enough pet food and water to last three Take enough pet food and water to last three days. days.

Taking some of your service animal’s familiar Taking some of your service animal’s familiar items may help reduce stress for your animal.items may help reduce stress for your animal.

Shelter here or thereShelter here or there

Whether you take refuge in a shelter, or in Whether you take refuge in a shelter, or in your home, you need to plan ahead. your home, you need to plan ahead.

Following a natural disaster, you may not be Following a natural disaster, you may not be able to get any help for several days. You able to get any help for several days. You need to have your own food and fresh water need to have your own food and fresh water and other supplies to last for at least three and other supplies to last for at least three days. days.

It is likely that you will be without one or more It is likely that you will be without one or more basic services like electricity, gas, water, or basic services like electricity, gas, water, or telephones for days or weeks. telephones for days or weeks.

CommunicationCommunicationIf you may have difficulty If you may have difficulty

understanding or communicating with understanding or communicating with shelter staff, you may want to prepare shelter staff, you may want to prepare written cards in advance that explain written cards in advance that explain your disability and the kind of help you your disability and the kind of help you are likely to need in order to are likely to need in order to understand and/or communicate with understand and/or communicate with staff.staff.

Your BidnessYour Bidness

• If you have a business, there is no If you have a business, there is no requirement that you have an requirement that you have an emergency evacuation plan (unless emergency evacuation plan (unless you have obligations under OSHA or you have obligations under OSHA or your state/local law).your state/local law).

• But if you DO have a plan, then it But if you DO have a plan, then it must include individuals with must include individuals with disabilities. disabilities.

Inclusive PlanningInclusive Planning

• When an emergency plan is being When an emergency plan is being developed, include employees with developed, include employees with disabilities in the planning.disabilities in the planning.

• Do not assume that everyone with a Do not assume that everyone with a disability will need evac assistance.disability will need evac assistance.

• People with disabilities are in the People with disabilities are in the best position to assess their needs.best position to assess their needs.

• It’s all right to do an annual survey.It’s all right to do an annual survey.

A few ideas to get startedA few ideas to get started

• Emergency alarms and signs Emergency alarms and signs (accessible and in working order) that (accessible and in working order) that show emergency exit routes;show emergency exit routes;

• Designate areas of rescue assistance Designate areas of rescue assistance (Section 4.3.11 of the ADAAG);(Section 4.3.11 of the ADAAG);

• Purchase evacuation devices and train Purchase evacuation devices and train employees;employees;

• Remove physical barriers to evac Remove physical barriers to evac routes.routes.

A few more ideasA few more ideas

• For people who use wheelchairs, For people who use wheelchairs, employers may want to provide heavy employers may want to provide heavy gloves to protect hands from debris gloves to protect hands from debris and a patch kit to repair flat tires.and a patch kit to repair flat tires.

• Install lighted fire strobes and other Install lighted fire strobes and other visual or vibrating alerting devices to visual or vibrating alerting devices to go along with audible alarms. Section go along with audible alarms. Section 4.28 ADAAG.4.28 ADAAG.

Still more ideasStill more ideas

• Install tactile signs and maps for Install tactile signs and maps for employees with vision impairments.employees with vision impairments.

• Think about ways to communicate with Think about ways to communicate with employees who have cognitive employees who have cognitive impairments. impairments.

• Employees with respiratory impairments Employees with respiratory impairments might have difficulties with smoke, dust, might have difficulties with smoke, dust, fume, or chemicals. Consider evacuation fume, or chemicals. Consider evacuation hoods, masks, respirators.hoods, masks, respirators.

So much informationSo much information

• There is a lot of information about There is a lot of information about emergency planning for individuals, emergency planning for individuals, businesses, agencies, and businesses, agencies, and governmental entities. governmental entities.

• On the next several slides, helpful On the next several slides, helpful websites are listed.websites are listed.

WebsitesWebsites

• Preparing the Workplace for Preparing the Workplace for Everyone: Accounting for the Needs Everyone: Accounting for the Needs of People with Disabilities. of People with Disabilities. http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/ep/prehttp://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/ep/preparing.htmparing.htm

• Project Safe Evac: Project Safe Evac: http://evac.icdi.wvu.edu/library/http://evac.icdi.wvu.edu/library/

More WebsitesMore Websites

• ADA Guide for Local Governments: Making ADA Guide for Local Governments: Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities: with Disabilities: http://www.ada.gov/emergencyprep.htmhttp://www.ada.gov/emergencyprep.htm

• NOD Guide on the Special Needs of NOD Guide on the Special Needs of Individuals with Disabilities for Emergency Individuals with Disabilities for Emergency Managers, Planners, and Responders: Managers, Planners, and Responders: http://www.nod.org/resources/PDFs/epiguihttp://www.nod.org/resources/PDFs/epiguide2005.pdfde2005.pdf

More WebsitesMore Websites

• JAN Employers’ Guide to Including JAN Employers’ Guide to Including Employees with Disabilities in Emergency Employees with Disabilities in Emergency Evacuation Plans: Evacuation Plans: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/emergency.http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/emergency.htmlhtml

• FEMA Emergency Management Guide for FEMA Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry: Business and Industry: http://www.fema.gov/pdf/business/guide/bihttp://www.fema.gov/pdf/business/guide/bizindst.pdfzindst.pdf

Just a few moreJust a few more

• FEMA Emergency Procedures for FEMA Emergency Procedures for Employees with Disabilities in Office Employees with Disabilities in Office Occupancies: Occupancies: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/txt/puhttp://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/txt/publications/fa-154.txtblications/fa-154.txt

• BEST OF SHOW: June Kailes’ Disaster BEST OF SHOW: June Kailes’ Disaster Resources for People with Disabilities and Resources for People with Disabilities and Emergency Managers: Emergency Managers: http://www.jik.com/disaster.htmlhttp://www.jik.com/disaster.html

Questions?Questions?

Contact theContact the

DBTAC DBTAC

Southwest ADA CenterSouthwest ADA Center

1.800.949.42321.800.949.4232

Jbrennan@bcm.eduJbrennan@bcm.edu