Safety Matters: How to Safely Evacuate from your Home National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research Project Safe EV-AC

International Center for Disability Information West Virginia University College of Human Resources & Education Project Safe EV-AC

Target Population Individuals in the community with physical, mental, or medical care needs who may require assistance before, during, and/or after a disaster or emergency.  Limitations Motor Sensory Cognitive Psychological Temporary

Phases of Emergency Management

Mitigation Occurs before the emergency or disaster. Eliminates or reduces probability of occurrence. Lessens the effects of the disaster:  Inspect windows, doors, and roofs.  Secure emergency back-up records.  Install visual alarms and Braille signage.  Install/elevate the generator.  Create areas of refuge.

Mitigation Lowering the cost of a disaster involves:  Developing a plan for contingencies.  Communicating the plan.  Training people about the plan.  Practicing the plan.  Maintaining the plan.

Preparedness External Considerations Plan, train, and exercise with local emergency response agencies:  Offer information to responder’s registry.  Create an emergency health information and contact card for rescuers.  Work to identify the steps that reduce their vulnerability to high-risk activities. Discuss your questions with emergency responders, doctors, and relevant agencies. Offer to be a part of training new staff.

Preparedness Internal Considerations Plan Prioritize Establish Relationships Identify Resources Understand Your Community:  Know the emergency management structure.  Take responsibility to be pro-active.  Establish Sheltering in Place, Shelters for the General Public, and Special Needs Shelters.

Preparedness Prepare an emergency kit (hearing aids, eye glasses, keys). Use emergency window stickers. Make a list of medications. Determine two usable exits. Pick a location to reunite.

Preparedness Equipment Access  Prepare battery/generator backups.  Keep equipment secured and accessible when not in use.  Store extra mobility aids as backups.  Review how to operate equipment (turn off utilities, operate fire extinguisher).

Preparedness Make a plan with personal care attendant:  Discuss the plan with the home health agency.  Establish a buddy network - Pick one out-of-state and one local friend/relative to call if separated.

Preparedness Prioritize:  Most important things you need to have.  Other things you may need.  Other good-to-have things.

Preparedness Review typical events at each stage and prepare accordingly:  Earthquake: If you are in a wheelchair, stay in it and go into a doorway.  Flood: If you have hypertension and need to take medication, have bottled water available.  Snowstorm: If you use a C-PAP for sleep apnea, have a backup battery.

Response Respiratory Impairment:  Evacuation hood  Respirator/mask

Response Speech Impairment:  Speech amplification device  Speech enhancer  Alpha-numeric pager  Two way instant messaging  Pre-written notes

Response Vision Loss:  One-on-one mobility instruction & training with emergency responders  Tape recorded drills for practice with a buddy  Guide dog/mobility aid considerations  Braille signage  Tactile maps

Response Hearing Loss:  Vibrating pager  Flashlight to read lips  Lighted fire strobes and other visual or vibrating alerting devices  Wireless communication

Response Mobility Impairment:  Wheelchair evacuation  Evacuation devices  Area of rescue assistance  Barrier free route of travel  Wheelchair supplies

Response Cognitive Impairment:  Use a picture book of evacuation procedures  Encourage social interaction with emergency responders  Color code exit ways  Implement buddy system  Use a coach for training

Response Psychiatric Impairment:  Practice with a buddy or counselor  Clarify emergency process in writing  Implement backup exit procedures

Recovery Locality Responds State Responds Federal Government Responds Voluntary Organizations Respond

Recovery Goals:  Meet the disaster-related needs of disaster victims, including special needs populations.  Return systems and people to normal, if possible.  Find improvements for both short term and long term needs.

Effective Process Goals:  Reduce loss of life.  Reduce property damages.  Ensure effective, efficient response.  Lay the groundwork for improvements.

International Center for Disability Information West Virginia University College of Human Resources & Education Project Safe EV-AC