1. NJVOAD Conference – April 12, 2018
Engaging People with Disabilities and Access & Functional Needs in Preparedness, Response & Recovery
NJVOAD Conference – April 12, 2018
Kelly Boyd, NJ Office of Emergency Management
Joe Geleta, NJ Department of Human Services–Office of Emergency Management
Lauri Gill, American Red Cross
Carole Tonks, Alliance Center for Independence

2. Preparedness and Planning
DAFN Planning is critical
State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP)
ESF#6 Mass Care/ Emergency Assistance
DAFN Annex to ESF#6
Shelter Task Force – DAFN Sub-committee
NJ GAINED
Planning/Training/Exercises
Joe

3. Register Ready: An Overview
Kelly
Presented by:
Kelly Boyd, Access & Functional Needs Planner
NJ Office of Emergency Management

4. Overview of Register Ready
Register Ready enables New Jersey residents with disabilities or access and functional needs (DAFN) and their families, friends, caregivers, and associates to enter relevant personal information into a database so emergency responders can enhance plans related to serving those with DAFN before, during or after a disaster or other emergency.

5. Overview of Register Ready
Register Ready is a free, voluntary, and confidential web-based program designed to identify the needs of people who have disabilities or access and functional needs and may have difficulty getting to safety during an emergency.
The information collected is not available to the public. It is held securely on dedicated state servers.
The information is only used for emergency response and planning.

6. How to Register
People with disabilities or access and functional needs (or their caregivers) and are encouraged to register by:
going to
calling New Jersey’s toll-free telephone service.
Operators will register callers, offer free translation, and provide TTY services for those with hearing impairments.

7. How to Register
Managers of facilities that house people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs are also encouraged to register the facility as a whole.

8. Accessing Registry Data
The State AFN Planner has oversight of the registry and can grant administrative access.
Each County has an AFN Coordinator who can access the registry.
A list of County AFN Coordinators can be found on NJOEM’s website.
This person can provide administrative access to other county employees, as well as staff from municipality OEMs and disability agencies.

9. Utilizing the Registry
Evacuation purposes
Shelter planning
Helping those with DAFN make personal preparedness plans

10. Utilizing the Registry During Emergencies
Those who have administrative access can search the registry and export data. Data can be used to create lists for:
Reverse 911 alerts
Emergency managers or CERT members to use to call or go door-to-door to warn residents of serious events or to conduct wellness checks
Conducting follow up assessments/surveys

11. The Pros of Register Ready
Registries can serve as a starting point for:
Building a dialogue about emergency preparedness with individuals who have disabilities or access and functional needs.
Establishing a rapport with stakeholder groups who work with at-risk populations.
Providing the ability to contact and check on people with disabilities or access and functional needs.

12. The Pros of Register Ready
Emergency managers view DAFN registries from varying perspectives. Concerns include:
Managing high consumer expectations.
An increased sense of confidence about being able to track individuals who require specific assistance in their communities during adverse conditions.

13. Promoting Register Ready
Registry Ready has been promoted in a variety of ways:
at events
on billboards
in PSAs (radio spots)
on social media and websites
in Township mailers/tax bills
by disability agencies
Brochures are available in English and Spanish at
or by calling NJOEM.

14. Promoting Register Ready
Brochures can be given out by:
utility companies
staff handling school/Kindergarten registration
hospital admissions staff
Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers
Medical Reserve Corps
Boy or Girl Scouts

15. Similar Registries
Some counties and municipalities have implemented another type of DAFN registry to aide law enforcement and emergency services personnel when responding to 911 calls. These registries do not take the place of Register Ready.
Law enforcement and emergency services personnel can be provided access to Register Ready.

16. Other Considerations
Registries are a great tool to help emergency managers enhance services to community members but they are just part of the picture.
When it comes to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, essential tasks include:
Planning
Emphasis on personal preparedness
The engagement of stakeholder groups that work with DAFN populations

17. How Can You Help
Promote/Provide Register Ready information to your clients.
Contact County AFN Coordinator/OEM to see how your agency can assist.
If appropriate, request administrative access to Register Ready from AFN Coordinator/OEM.

18. Inclusion in Response & Recovery
Everyone is Welcome
Personal Care Assistants
Lauri

19. Practicing and Engaging
Carole

20. Practicing and Engaging
Carole

21. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS Kelly Boyd, NJ Office of Emergency Management
Joe Geleta, NJ Department of Human Services OEM
Lauri Gill, American Red Cross
Carole Tonks, Alliance Center for Independence