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