Kristine D. Warner, PhD MPH RNCSU, Chico School of Nursing

Nationwide disaster declarations 2007

61 http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters.fema?year=2007

California disaster declarations 2007

2 http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters_state.fema?id=6

Site #1 (4-5 students)

Senior or Senior/Disabled

Low-income

Within city limits

40 units

On-site management

Site #2 (5-6 students)S

enior or DisabledL

ow-incomeW

ithin city limits5

6 unitsO

n-site management

80% were interested in learning about emergency preparedness

Only 40% reported having an emergency plan.

For those with medical equipment, only 50% had extra batteries.

The vast majority reported having enough food for 3-5 days.

Few residents had extra water in their apartments.

Only 2-3 individuals at each site were enrolled in the SNAP program.

Fall 2007C

onducted on-site emergency preparedness classesI

nformal assessment of individual preparednessI

nitial assessment of site/management preparedness A

ttended SNAP meetings<Weather Emergency in

Northern CA>Spring 2008

Conducted onsite emergency preparedness classes

Continued informal assessment of preparedness

Attended SNAP meetings – prepared packets

Developed proposal for submission to housing authority

Developed list for SNAP outreach Sept. 2008

Sponsored by:

County Health Department – Adult Protective ServicesP

urpose: Identification of individuals within the county who would need

assistance with evacuationR

egistration with local emergency authorities Law enforcement, fire department, health department

Preparation & maintenance of SNAP packet

Personal emergency contact information Medical history (including medications) SNAP sign for window/door County emergency resources Informational brochures (ARC, FEMA)

Only contact 911 if there is a life-threatening emergency. Listen to your battery powered radio for news and instructions.

If you must evacuate, call your family/emergency contact or the Red Cross

Only place the neon green SNAP card in the door or window that is visible from the street if you must be evacuated by the police, sheriff, fire department or emergency volunteers.

Turn on your porch light

Have your Travel Bag and Disaster Supplies Kit packed and near the door

Remember that emergency personnel will be very busy.Prepare to take care of yourself.Using the SNAP card is not a guarantee that emergency personnel will rescue you.

(From SNAP packet)

Student Proposal

Drinking water (1 gallon per person) ($1 each) Flash lights ($3) Replacement batteries ($6) First Aid Kit ($28 - $60) Portable Radio ($9)

Total cost per site: $46 - $78 plus water

Cost including water:

Site #1….$86 - $118 Site #2….$102 - $134

Proposal prepared

On-site management support

Middle-management staff support

PHN Senior Health Improvement Program support

Awaiting arrival of new executive director of housing authority!...hopefully more supportive

Back-up plan…seek funding from local stores

Back-up of the back-up?

PHN students became very invested in the needs of this community.

PHN students were empowered by ‘being at the table’ with county officials at SNAP meetings.

Residents recognized the need for preparing for emergencies….although many did not follow through.

On-site management reported feeling less anxious about potential emergencies…felt more prepared.

Middle-management reported having health professional support for their efforts was key.

FEMA & American Red Cross. (2004). Preparing for disaster for people with disabilities and other special needs. Jessup, MD: FEMA.

Kirkpatrick, D.V, & Bryan, M. (2007). Hurricane emergency planning by home health providers serving the poor. Journal of Health Care for the Poor & Underserved, 18, 299-314.

Mack, S.E., Spotts, D. Hayes, A., & Rains Warner, J. (2006). Teaching emergency preparedness to restricted-budget families. Public Health Nursing, 23, 354-360.