Disaster Planning for Families and Special Needs Patients © Lou Romig, Used with permission. FL5 DMAT Photo

Objectives 1.List the three stages of assessment required for good family disaster planning. 2.Review three methods to help assure family reunification. 3.Site three considerations in making family evacuation decisions. 4.Review additional considerations for families with special needs children.

Objectives 5.List four categories of supplies needed for a home disaster cache. 6.List child-specific and adult-specific supplies (two each) that can make shelter life more bearable. 7.Cite five community disaster planning issues that relate to children.

Topics  A good plan always starts with questions  How different kinds of disasters affect planning  Information issues  Family unification  Special issues for special needs

Topics  To go or not to go?  Riding it out  Planning for evacuation  Making shelter life easier  Your mobile shelter  Community planning issues

The Key Assessments Assess the disaster(s) Assess your community Assess your family

Assess your disaster risk FEMA Photo Library

Unpredictable disasters  Demand a constant state of readiness  More likely to find family members in different places  Include crimes of violence and terrorism

Predictable disasters  May allow time to finish preparations  Less likely to have reunification problems  May be of longer duration  Health and public safety workers must deal with work obligations

Information Issues

Information you should get  Local Emergency Management agency resources  Evacuation areas  Shelters  Emergency response resources  School disaster plans

Information you should get  Potential hazardous material risks Where they are relative to where you are?  Potential terrorist targets

Information each family member should know  His/her own medical problems and meds  Your family disaster plan  Any planned rendezvous points  Out of town family contact number

Information you should share  At least one member of your extended family should know about your disaster plans  All children’s caregivers must know pertinent medical information  Any home-based caregivers need to know your disaster plan

Information you should protect  Insurance policies  Mortgage/leases/contracts  Birth certificates  Passports/alien documentation  Occupational licenses  Family medical information  Unpaid bills  Any other irreplaceable papers

You may need these after…  Household inventory/pictures  Checkbook  Stamps, envelopes, paper, pen  Cameras for documentation  Small tape recorder with batteries and tapes  Phone lists, including usual service personnel/companies

Family Reunification

 Daily reunification issues  Emergency reunification  Keeping in contact with extended family

Daily reunification  Children should always have ID on their person and, ideally, a written list of family contact numbers.  Parents should always know who is supposed to pick up a child from school, etc.

Emergency reunification  Know your family’s school and job- place disaster plans.  Designate emergency rendezvous points.  Preplan who will work on getting the family together in case of emergency.  Know the hospitals closest to all places where family members spend lots of time.

Keeping in touch  Designate an out of town relative or friend as a contact point in case of a community- wide disaster.  Use contact person as an information clearinghouse for loved ones.

Special Issues for Special Needs FL5 DMAT Photos

Who are special needs children?  Technology dependent  Developmentally disabled  Psychiatric/behavioral illnesses  Immunocompromised  Chronic diseases  Acute episodic illnesses Italics denote children outside the classic definition of special needs patients

Know your local resources  Local shelter medical capabilities  Hospital vs. community shelter  Home health agency disaster plans  Residential care facility disaster plans

Preparedness measures  Have all durable medical equipment routinely inspected for state of repair, especially at the beginning of a “season”  Be able to troubleshoot all durable medical equipment  Make advance arrangements with suppliers in case of advance notice of threat  Keep copy of all medical records in a safe place but portable

Supplies  Special nutrition supplies (need refrigeration?)  Medication lists and supplies, including oxygen (minimum 3 day extra supply)  Disposable supplies  Battery back-ups  Biomedical waste disposal

Other suggestions  Make everything as portable as possible. Pack according to lists. Pre-pack as much as possible.  Notify physician of family disaster plan  Ask insurance companies in advance about coverage for alternative care facilities outside of local area

To go or not to go? Courtesy of Emergency and Disaster Management Network

Evacuation decisions  Know about your location with regard to risks and resources  Local vs. long distance evacuation  Type of disaster / lead time  Special considerations for family members, including special needs  Factors that might make you stay in the community (i.e. jobs)  Possibility of splitting up the family

Evacuation decisions  Welfare of pets  Ability to secure your property and your safety  Timing (when to go?)  Inform distant family members of plans  Supplies

Riding it out Courtesy of FL. Div. of E.M.

Riding it out  Prepare for community-specific risks, not only at home but also at work  Assess your neighborhood resources and risks  Mandatory vs. voluntary evacuation  Designate your home “safe space”

Riding it out  Determine a threshold for “bugging out”  Notify loved ones of plans  Consider whether any family members should be evacuated while others stay

Riding it out  Plan for care of pets  Plan for three days of independence  Water (potable and nonpotable)  Power (electric, gas)  Phone (non-electric landline/cell)  Gasoline  Cash

Things to do  Fill all gas tanks (including LP)  Get cash  Fill water bottles, bathtubs  Find all emergency cut-off valves and circuit breakers and know how to shut them off  Check/charge batteries on all equipment  Assure adequate supplies of medications and medical supplies  Review plans with your family

Supplies MedicationsMedications Food (including pets)Food (including pets) WaterWater Clothing (seasonal)Clothing (seasonal) Basic toolsBasic tools Materials for repairsMaterials for repairs Work glovesWork gloves CoolersCoolers Books/toysBooks/toys Non-powered phoneNon-powered phone BleachBleach Rotate stocks!

Supplies Battery powered radio/TV Battery powered lanterns and fans Manual can opener LP grill/stove with extra gas Disposable dishware Garbage bags First aid kit Signaling device (whistle/siren/horn) Batteries Rotate stocks!

Keep disaster supplies together as much as possible and make sure everyone in the family knows where they are. Photo Lou Romig

A two-edged sword Photo Lou Romig

Generator precautions  Know how to use it safely and appropriately. Keep instruction manual handy.  Perform all recommended generator maintenance.  Keep children away!  Fire extinguishers  Battery-powered CO monitors at site of entry of cords into home and at all sleeping areas

Generator-related supplies  Large gauge extension cords (see generator manual for specifics)  Grounded power bars  Simple, small stick-type lamps and light bulbs  Fuel stabilizer/spare oil/funnels  Table listing common appliance energy requirements

Planning for evacuation

 Know the locations of several of the closest shelters  Plan several long distance evacuation destinations  Generate an evacuation “to do” list  Plan how you will secure your property

Planning for evacuation Find out community shelter rules and amenities  Smoking  Alcohol  Weapons  Meals provided?  Cots provided?  Bathing facilities?  Pets allowed?

Planning for evacuation  Gather and protect important papers  Get gas and cash  Pack supplies from a prepared list  Think about what you’ll need when you return, possibly to a damaged home

Supplies to take to a shelter Medications (secure these!)Medications (secure these!) BeddingBedding Folding chairsFolding chairs Any required dietary itemsAny required dietary items Alcohol-based cleansers/towelettesAlcohol-based cleansers/towelettes Food Snacks Diapers Radio/TV/batteries/ ear phones or plug Clothing Tools Camera

Making shelter life easier… FL5 DMAT Photos

Sanity for kids  Solace items (teddy bears, blankets, etc)  Games  Drawing supplies  Books  Flashlights/batteries  Handheld electronic games/batteries  Portable radios, etc (with earphones!)  Snacks, nonperishable drinks  OTC meds

Sanity for adults  Patience !!!!!!  Ear plugs/blindfolds for sleeping  Reading material, cards, etc.  Keep a journal (paper/electronic)  Adult treats (snacks, music, etc.)

We’re all in this together…  Meet new people  Volunteer your services in the shelter  Get a special interest group together  Take turns with child care  Expect and forgive stressed behavior

Your Mobile Shelter

Emergency supplies for your car  Water  Flashlight/batteries  Flares/reflective signals  Environmental protection  Seasonal supplies  Radio/batteries  Basic tools  Candy  First aid kit

Community Planning Issues

Community planning issues  Resident awareness  Assisting visitors/tourists  Special needs populations  EMS system preparation  School-based disaster planning  Family reunification (especially with school incidents)

Community planning issues (shelters)  Special needs sheltering  Shelter staff training  Resources for shelter staff  Nutrition  Waste disposal  Infectious diseases  Child care  Stress management

Summary  Assess your disaster risks  Stock up and review family plans before any disaster season starts  Check all emergency equipment regularly

Summary  Maintain a disaster cache or closet  Check into disaster plans wherever your family members spend a lot of time  Make sure your family is informed about your plan