180 likes | 186 Vues
Emergency/Disaster Coordination. Irma Tetzloff AoA Regional Office Liaison - Disaster Assistance Coordinator. 4th State Units on Aging Nutritionists/Administrators Conference August 2006. Types of Emergencies. Disaster - happen any place, any time
E N D
Emergency/Disaster Coordination Irma Tetzloff AoA Regional Office Liaison - Disaster Assistance Coordinator 4th State Units on Aging Nutritionists/Administrators ConferenceAugust 2006
Types of Emergencies Disaster-happen any place, any time • Mother Nature -Hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, wildfires, snow/ice • Manmade –terrorist, accidents, hazardous materials, explosions, civil unrest • Technology – IT or utility failure • Disease-epidemics, heat emergencies
In Every Emergency– first and highest priority Preservation of Human Life
Safety First • 1st thoughts – fear, how can I stay safe • 2nd– how are those around me, my loved ones • Third thought – what can I do to help
Problems Encountered • Communications non-existent or impaired • Evacuate or not – evacuate to where • Who needs help, who can handle self • Transportation impaired, gas • Determining best use of resources • Who can help, what’s available • Hysteria/grief
Special Needs –Elderly/disabled Who are they – where are they? • Databases – computer files • AAA’s, case managers, in-home workers, services providers, medical providers, churches, utility companies • Where located -Live at home, congregate housing, assisted living, nursing homes
Type of Need • Limited mobility – lack transportation, need physical assistance – walker/wheelchair, bed bound • Cognitive impairment – Alzheimer’s • Sensory impaired – vision, hearing • Language barrier • Isolated - rural
Special Needs Shelters Person needing assistance -- physical, mental or sensory impairments • Oxygen dependent, wheelchair, frail, Alzheimer’s • One caregiver should go with dependent person
Working Through • Safety-first priority • Resources available • Who can help? Staff, Volunteers • Organize – division of labor • Set priorities – stay focused on tasks • Determine which activities benefit most • Improvise • Credential helpers!!!
Mapping Community GIS/MAPQUEST/PRINTED MAP • Special needs population - Friends, neighbors, family • Gathering places – potential shelters • Senior Center, nutrition site, community center • Services providers, businesses
Evacuation Advisories • Only necessary items – prescription meds, assistive devices – hearing aides, glasses, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, cash • Building safety – structural, gas, electrical, chemical, fires (Flashlights) • Pets – shelters generally don’t take • Communication devices – cell phone, battery radios, laptops, disks, two way radios • Insect spray/sun screen
Self Help Examples • Encourage emergency preparedness kits • Easy to grab and go, sturdy • Food, water, prescription meds – 5 to 7 days • List of contacts –family, medical • Walking shoes • Car kit –add maps, blanket, fire ext., flares, some gas
More Things • Sanitation • Cell phones • Cash • Credit cards • Phone trees – keep someone informed • Insurance papers, business docs
CDC Recommends • Power off before leaving—electricity, gas – have checked before power on • Generators cautions–carbon monoxide poisoning (500 die each yr.) • Soap/water/handywipes/disinfectants • Boil water (1 minute rolling boil) keep cool/bottled water
OAA Supportive Services • Information and assistance • Outreach • Personal care, homemaker, chore • Meals – including HDM • Transportation/assisted trans. • Legal assistance • Alzheimer’s program
Texas – (example) • 211 system-- special needs persons register for transportation for potential evacuation – working with transit and para-transit --registered will be picked-up automatically. • Other concerns – evacuation routes, fuel and traffic management • State Operations Center (SOC) will manage
Virginia • Total 60+ -- 1,179,159 • Total OAA $24 Million + • Total # of AAA’s -22 • Nearly $8 million Supportive Services • Nearly $12 million Congregate and HDM • Caregiver - $3.3 million • LTC Ombudsman/elder abuse - $437,000 • Rural population – one third
Communication • Accurate • Info from a trusted source • Understandable • English or other/Literacy level • Informative/repetitive • Call Center