earth, wind and fire windstorm 2015 - washington ... wind and fire windstorm 2015 jamie mcintyre...

Earth, Wind and FireWindstorm 2015

Jamie McIntyre

June 8, 2016

1222 N. Post St. | Spokane, WA 99201 | TEL 509-458-2509 | FAX 509-458-2003

SERVING: Northern Ferry, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens & Whitman counties

WWW.ALTCEW.ORG | ADVOCACY. ACTION . ANSWERS.

ALTCEW Service Area

• Public Service Area #11

- Rural and urban mix

• Over 110,00 older adults

• Services to over 30,000 individuals in 2015


Direct Services

• Case management

• RN consultation

• Community Living Connection (CLC)

• Senior Employment

• Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)

• Dental Access

• Bridging Care Across the Inland Northwest

• Home Care Aide and Nursing Assistant Training and Certification

• NIH Chronic Care Intervention Study


Our Service Network

• Information and Referral

• Case Management

• Senior Van & Volunteer Transportation

• Senior Nutrition

• Adult Day Care

• Minor Home Repair

• Family and Kinship Caregiver Support

• Legal Assistance


Windstorm 2015

• Tuesday, November 17, 2015

• National Weather Service Wind Advisory

– city and county offices closed early

– Staff sent home awaiting further information


Local News 11/18/15

• The Inland Northwest woke up to massive damage across the region Wednesday morning due to winds over 70 miles per hour.

• As of 8:00 a.m., nearly 150,000 Avista customers are still without power due to fallen trees taking out power lines, while thousands more are without power from other companies. With such a widespread outage, crews are working hard to restore service, but it could take some time, possibly days.


850+ down trees175 in roadways


190,000 without power


Community Impact

• Expected 3-5 days restoration

– Reality over 7 days for some

• Temperatures- around freezing

• 2 of 4 main hospitals on generators

• No power- ambulance provider (AMR), Eastern State Hospital, Sheriffs Main Office, Public Transportation (STA), nursing facilities, assisted living and adult family homes.


Technological impact

• Hospitals- no access to internet, electronic medical records, divert status

• Urgent care clinics- some with no power

• Public Health- no phones

• Sheriffs office- no power

• Meals on wheels- no power or phones


ALTCEW Response

Vulnerable Adult Criteria

• Individuals who live alone or without reliable support (like living with young children), and/or lack family or informal support with ONE of the following conditions: – Severe Dementia – Coma – Stroke with Hemiplegia– Quadriplegia (with skin problems)– Multiple Sclerosis – COPD with Emphysema – Congestive Heart Failure – Diabetes of Insulin dependence – Inability to transfer without assistance, – Condition of being bedfast/chair fast – Complex medical regime – Dialysis dependent – Inability to propel wheelchair – Need for medications to be Administered or Self Directed – Possess CPS score of 4, 5, or 6 as generated by the CARE Assessment Tool. – Technologically dependent

• Technologically dependent (Respirator/ventilator, Peritoneal Dialysis Machine, IV nutritional support, Oxygen).

• Geographically remote (meaning living more than 45 minutes from essential services).


ALTCEW Response

Response to Large Scale Power Outage• In the event of an ongoing, large scale power outage, ALTCEW CMI’s

will target technology dependent clients on the vulnerable clients list. A good faith effort of contact will be made, either telephonically or in person, within 24 business hours of the power outage.

• During the contact, CMI’s will:– ensure that the client has a plan to get them through anticipated date

of power restoration. If available, advise of anticipated date and time service will be restore, as determined by utilities providers (i.e. Avista, Inland Power).

– If applicable, advise of local shelter resources (i.e. Riverside High School, nurse on site to assist as needed)

– Let them know that they can get up to date information through the local media (list specific site if available)


ALTCEW Response

• Assess building and staff

• Contact with vulnerable clients– Technologically dependent, insulin, bedbound

– Assess for safety, resource needs, educate• Warming Centers, relocation centers, public schools,

showers, food safety, wood, and animal shelter

• Active role at Emergency Operations Center– Voice for vulnerable populations

– Daily staffing with ALTCEW staff


What went well

• All clients survived

• Community response to need

• Partnership with Spokane Fire Department– Welfare checks, transportation

• Avista and priority of restoration

• Daily contact with vulnerable clients

• Up to date information for aging network partners


What we learned

• Tier vulnerable client list to event

– Did we contact clients too much?

– Staff use professional discretion with contacts

• Process for communicating with contractors

– Add to business continuity plan


Jamie McIntyre

ALTCEW

Planning and Education Coordinator

509-458-2509 x211

[email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

earth, wind and fire windstorm 2015 - washington ... wind and fire windstorm 2015 jamie mcintyre...

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