Emergency Preparedness Campaign

For People with Disabilities, Case Managers and Direct Service

Providers

Self Determination Conference October 31, 2013

Wisconsin Dells

Today’s Presenters• Michael Steinhauer

Director of Job and Fund Development

Madison Area Rehab Centers, Inc., (MARC), Madison, WI.

(608) 223-9110 x 36 email: msteinhauer@marc-inc.org

• Kevin Fech, Parent Advocate

Chair, Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, Madison, WI

(414) 517-9566 email: kevin.fech@gmail.com

and

• Tyler Fech, Self Advocate

• Dean Choate

Executive Director

Radio CERT Inc. Fond Du Lac WI

(920) 904-6302  email: deanc.radiocert@gmail.com

Today’s Purpose

• To define and explain the importance of personal preparedness before an emergency

• To identify self-advocacy ideas for networking with local first responders

• To identify what opportunities exist for volunteering at a local level to respond to emergencies and disasters

Defining Special Needs Populations

Any individual, group, or community whose physical, mental, emotional, cognitive, cultural, ethnic, socio-economic status, language, or any

other circumstance that creates barriers to understanding or the ability to act/react in the

manner in which the general population has been requested to proceed.

We think functional challenges, not diagnostic categories

WHY PREPARE?

REALITY CHECKS:

46 percent of people with disabilities say they do not know whom to contact about emergency

plans for their community in the event of a crisis.

 

REALITY CHECK

53 percent of people with

disabilities say that they have

not made plans to quickly and safely

evacuate their home or know who to contact for assistance

with preparing. 

Only 20 percent of emergency managers have specific guidelines to assist people

with mobility impairments during emergencies

57 percent of emergency managers do not know how many people with mobility

impairments live in their jurisdiction

REALITY CHECK

Many people with disabilities in New

Orleans were evacuated

without their medicine, medical

equipment, wheelchairs or guide animals.

2003 California Wildfires: many were unable to see approaching danger or hear announcements to evacuate. There was a lack of transportation for those unable to

drive. Emergency telephones at evacuation sites were not equipped for people who were deaf, and were not within

reach of people in wheelchairs.

Reality Check

Emergency management is learning to serve people with disabilities better. Whole community approach:

the more we know about all people in our communities, the better we can meet our obligations for their reasonable accommodations as well as meet

their medical and personal needs.

Lessons Learned

Americans With Disabilities Act Requirements (and many other related Acts and Statutes)

State/Local Legal Authority: licensure, certification, accreditation, county contracts, HMO contracts, etc.

Confidentiality Issues (should not be an excuse for lack of planning!)

Liability Issues: DOJ settlements with cities and counties

Legal Basis for Emergency Planning Around Special

Populations

Public Health Emergency Management

Collaboration is Key

Hold Public Officials Accountable

Emergency ManagementPublic Health

Human Services

Planning for at-riskpopulations

You the Consumer and your support

comunity

PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS

Work with your trusted sources so they know your needs and plans: community based

organizations that serve your needs, faith based groups, county human service and public health

departments, home health agencies and neighborhood groups.

Complete a Personal Preparedness Checklist(Many Samples Available)

There is a Better Way

Give Yourself a Better Chance!

YOU MUST CONSIDER:

How you communicate

How mobile you are

What special equipment you need

What medications you take

•Here are some options for planning and tools you can use!

1ST: Prepare to Stay at Home

Pet Safety Plan

Healthy Snacks

First Aid Supplies

Prepare to Stay at Home

Battery Operated Radio, or Weather radio

Extra BatteriesFlashlights

Deck of cards, bookor something to dofor several hours

2ND: Prepare your Evacuation Pack

• Get some supplies for your emergency pack

• Keep kit near the front door or closet if you think you might evacuate

Prepare Your Evacuation Kit

ID

Cell Phone

Keys

A Little Money

Names, phone numbers of important contacts

DenturesEye GlassesMomentoChargers

Prepare Your Evacuation Kit

Medical Information

A Few Days Supply of Medicine

Supplies for Your Medical Condition

3RD: Plan for your Pets

• Crate or cage (if necessary like with a snake or mouse) and leashes• Special Diet Food or Pills• Identifying Tags• Favorite Toy

Here’s a Handy Guide: Emergency Preparedness

Cycle

ABOVE ALL

Look out for your neighbor.

It is the right thing to do!!!

WWW.FR-DAT.COM

First Responders Resources

• Americans with Disabilities Act• American Sign Language• Person First Language• Definitions of Disabilities

– What is it– Safety Concerns– Signs & Symptoms– Response & De-Escalation Techniques

• Staying Home for Long Periods

• How to get ready to evacuate

• Readying your pets for

sheltering outside the homeFEMA for Kids

Ongoing Community, Self Education and Volunteering

in your community

                                                     

About Radio CERT

About Radio CERT, Inc.

• Radio CERT Inc. is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Radio CERT Inc. is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference in their community. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective. We participate and assist in community events and educate the public about emergency response and safety.

Radio CERT Challenges

Radio CERT Activities

Radio CERT Activities

Radio CERT Activities

There is a Better Way

Thank you Folks!