safety matters: how to safely evacuate from your home national institute on disability...

Safety Matters:

How to Safely Evacuate from your Home

National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research

Project Safe EV-AChttp://evac.icdi.wvu.edu

International Center for Disability Information

West Virginia University College of Human Resources & Education

Project Safe EV-AChttp://evac.icdi.wvu.edu

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-AChttp://evac.icdi.wvu.edu

Beth.Loy@mail.wvu.edu