Disaster Preparedness -- Are You Ready for an Emergency? Faith T. McCormick Acting Commissioner Administration on Developmental Disabilities Administration on Children and Families U.S. Department of Health and Human Services World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Emergency Preparedness for Families and Children When a disaster strikes— • Where will your family be? • How will you find each other? • Are your children safe? • What if your child has “special needs?” • Do you have a plan? World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Emergency Preparedness for Families and Children What we will cover today: • Three Steps to preparing for emergencies • State/Local Resources for Family Readiness --Developmental Disabilities Network --Local organizations • Federal Resources --National Commission on Children & Disasters --FEMA Kids Web Pages World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Why Consider Building a Family Readiness Plan? • You can cope with any disaster by planning ahead and working together as a team. • This is your best protection and your responsibility! • Three Steps to preparing for emergencies World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
STEP ONE – Think Ahead • Types of natural and man-made disasters --hurricanes, fires, floods, tornados • Consider potential situations so you can adapt your plan to family’s needs • Identify location for all to meet • Disaster Preparation Checklist for children with special needs, your family, your home • Complete Checklist World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Checklist for Children with Special Needs • Current care plan & list of medications • Completed emergency form for child • Two week supply of medication and/or current prescriptions • Back up system/plans for electricity • Discuss plan with child’s MD • Advise local emergency management team • Plan for child while at school, day care World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Checklist for Family • Do you have a plan; do you practice it? • Emergency supply kit w/weather radio-battery or wind-up • Meeting place and central point of contact • Discuss/share info on disasters w/family? • Do you know your work and day-care emergency plans? • Plans for your pets & service animals? World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Checklist for your Home • Any hazardous materials – inside/outside • Where/How to turn on/off utilities • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors • Water hose, fire extinguishers, generators • Plan with neighbor on how to help each other in case of an emergency? World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Step Two – Planning & Preparation • Family meeting to discuss why plan • Pick two meeting places • Identify “out of state” family contact/go-to person for all, use text messaging locally • Discuss Evacuation; plan for pets • Post emergency #’s by phones; teach children how/when to call • Decide best evacuation routes from home World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Emergency Supply Kit for All Families • Water – one gallon per person per day, three day supply • Food – three-day supply non-perishable --Canned meats, fruit, veggies w/pop tops --High energy foods – raisins, granola bars --vitamins --Food for infants --Food for special diet needs World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Emergency Supply Kit for All Families • First Aid Supplies, such as --Sterile adhesive bandages all sizes --Cleansing agent/soap --Non-Latex gloves (2 pairs) --Non-prescription medications all doses --Aspirin/non-aspirin pain reliever • Supplies for Special Needs, such as --See Checklist; extra batteries World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Emergency Supply Kit for All Families • Tools and Emergency Supplies, such as --Cups, plates, plastic utensils --Battery/wind-up radio, extra batteries --Flashlight, extra batteries, charger --Matches in waterproof container --Whistle, signal flare • Sanitation, such as --Toilet paper, towelettes World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Emergency Supply Kit for All Families --Soap, liquid detergent --Personal hygiene items • Clothing and Bedding, such as --Sturdy shoes, rain gear, Blankets • Cell phone chargers • Entertainment --Card and/or Board games --Books for all ages World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Emergency Supply Kit for all Families • Documents, Other Important Items—Keep in waterproof, portable container—such as: --Will, Insurance policies --Contracts & Deeds, Stocks & Bonds --Passports, Social Security Cards --Immunization Records --Bank/ Credit Card Account Numbers --Important phone numbers --Family records --Disposal camera • Scan Documents; store on flash drive World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Step Three – Response & Recovery • Stay in your home or shelter in disaster • Do not use “fire” in your home • Listen to radio for updates/directions • Follow directions of officials • Do not hide from officials • Stay out of unfamiliar places • Keep all pets in safe and secure place World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
If Disaster Strikes – What to do • Stay Calm & put your plan into action • Check for injuries; first aid or seek help • Listen to battery/wind-up radio • Evacuate if told to do so • Check for damage in your home • Use flashlights—no matches/electricity • Check for fire, gas leaks; turn off • Put pets in safe place; call family contact • Check neighbors; stay away from downed power lines; text-message locally World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Tips to Help Families Support their Children • Don’t get caught up in “hype” • Have a plan; know what you will do • Talk on a level child will understand • Give children information they need • Keep routines and regular schedule • Make sure children know what to do • Medical Alert for special needs child • Teach children to recognize/accept help from emergency officials World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
State and Local Resources • Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network funded by ADD in all states/territories • Florida DD grantees : Governor’s Council - (850) 488-4180 http://www.fddc.org Advocacy Center for People with Disabilities – (850) 488-9071http://www.advocacycenter.org University Centers for Excellence in DD (UCEDD) --U of Miami - (305) 243-6801http://mailmancenter.org --USF - (813) 974-3126http://www.flcic.org World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
This project was commissioned by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council in response to the series of devastating hurricanes that the state faced in 2004 & 2005. The Council partnered with the Governor’s Commission for Volunteerism & Community Service, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management to create the guide. Designed to provide individuals with developmental disabilities with Florida specific information on disaster preparedness. World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
The guide is divided into three sections and includes a series of questions in a workbook format that can be completed by the user.* Readers will be able to transfer their answers to these questions into a blank Disaster Plan, which is included as the last section of the guide. When completed, the user will have a personal disaster plan that can be implemented. * Guide can be modified for any location outside FL World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Topics found in the guide include: Florida’s Emergency Management System Deciding to Remain at Home or to Evacuate** Emergency Shelters vs. Special Need Shelters Florida’s Special Needs Registry & Contacts Planning Your Personal Support Network** Communication Considerations** Emergency Management Contacts & Resources ** Applicable to all Families in any location outside FL World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
To Order Additional Copies of the Guide: FDDC Website: www.fddc.org Latarsha Williams, CL/SC Program Manager 124 Marriott Drive, Suite 203 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Phone: 850-488-4180 Toll Free: 800-580-7801 TDD Toll Free: 888-488-8633 Fax: 850-922-6702 World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Community & State Resources*** • County & Local Emergency Management Teams • State Homeland Security Advisors • Citizen Corps • Link to Your State via Ready.Gov Map *** http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html • 2-1-1 Call Centers http://211us.org/status.htm World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Federal Resources • National Commission on Children and Disasters • FEMA – For Kids information visit www.fema.gov/kids & www.Ready.gov/kids • Health & Human Services (HHS) -- www.flu.gov Administration on Children & Families (ACF) --Head Start --Child Welfare --Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Why Form A National Commission? • Children make up 25% of the population, but overlooked in disaster planning and management • Presidential disaster declarations more than doubled since 1980’s • Only seven states require licensed child care providers to have emergency plans addressing evacuation, reunification and accommodating children with disabilities (Save the Children, 2009) • Care for pets is a greater priority than children World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Commission Purpose • Examine the needs of children (0-18 years of age) in relation to the preparation for, response to and recovery from all-hazards, including major disasters and emergencies • Report findings and recommendations to the President and Congress World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Areas of Interest • Trauma, physical and mental health • Child welfare • Child care • Housing (sheltering, intermediate, long-term) • Evacuation and Transportation • Elementary and Secondary Education • Juvenile Justice • State and Local Emergency Management World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Interim Report October 14, 2009 http://www.childrenanddisasters.acf.hhs.gov/ World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
FEMA – Ready Campaign READY AMERICA! • Prepare • Plan and Stay Informed Resources • On-line emergency planning tools • Ready Kids-interactive site link http://www.ready.gov/kids/index.html • Ready America link http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Prepare your child before disasters happen World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Department of Health & Human Services • H1N1 flu: www.flu.gov Other HHS Resources for Families • Head Start – Emergency Preparedness http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/resources/Emergency%20Preparedness • Child Welfare – Disaster Preparedness/Response http://www.childwelfare.gov/highlights/disaster/ • ADD – Emergency Preparednesshttp://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/resources/dispub.html http://www.add-idea-em.org/index.htm World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Helpful Web Sites for Families • www.prepare.org – Red Cross web site with information for families, individuals with disabilities, and materials for helping children prepare and cope with disasters • http://www.fema.gov/kids/ - FEMA has put together a wealth of resources for parents and teachers to support children. Loads of information and engaging activities for children to learn how to be prepared for disasters. • www.nobodyleftbehind2.org – For professionals and communities who are concerned about the evacuation of individuals with mobility impairments. Check out the resources section for a wealth of resources, guides, and instructional manuals. World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Helpful Web Sites for Families • http://www.aap.org/disasters/pdf/helping-children-and-adolescents.pdf - Great booklet that provides you with instructions on how to support your child after a disaster or traumatic event. • http://www.aap.org/family/frk/frkit.htm - American Academy of Pediatrics has developed a family readiness kit for disasters. It has information on: preparing for disasters, what to expect in a disaster, supplies list, and getting access to emergency medical services. Easy to read and understand. • http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html - Department of Homeland Security web site with good tips for families, how to prepare children, and tips for individuals with special needs. Resources include a pamphlet on preparing for disasters, supply list for families, and an instructional video. World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Helpful Web Sites for Families • https://disastersafe.redcross.org/default.aspx If you have been affected by a disaster, the American Red Cross Safe and Well Website provides a way for you to register yourself as “safe and well.” From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being. • http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/topic.php?id=4 The American Psychological Association (APA) Help Center has many articles on how to deal with traumatic stress during and after a disaster. World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) Contact Information: Faith T. McCormick Acting Commissioner, ADD 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20201 202/690-6590 Faith.mccormick@acf.hhs.gov http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/ http://www.add-idea-em.org/index.htm World Congress & Expo on Disabilities, 11/19/09
