Leslie Davis, Craig Erickson, Sloane Perry, & Melanie Ramos Community Practicum Fall 2012

Community Assessment Lakewood, Ohio History Founded in 1889 with a population 0f 400 Major fruit supplier d/t rich soils Natural gas deposits discovered which led to transition from a farming community to business/industrial 1917 Detroit-Superior Bridge built to connect Lakewood to downtown Cleveland By 1930 reached peak population of 70,000 By 1950 all the land in Lakewood developed, therefore the only place to go was up!

Assessment Continued Current Zoned commercial and residential with older homes and a large proportion of doubles Community is 5.53 square miles with a population of 53,131 Unemployment 5.6% (national average 6.8%) Median household income $43k, majority of community is middle class Theft most prevalent crime Most homeowners in Lakewood seem to remain in Lakewood; there is a very prevalent transient renter community

Assessment Continued Transportation within community – personal vehicles, buses, rapid station (border Lakewood/Cleveland), bikes, and walking Multiple open spaces, 14 parks, outdoor pools, basketball and volleyball courts, baseball fields, and playgrounds. Many people seen walking about the community Clean, generally well maintained, very little litter found on streets Restaurant industry prevalent in Lakewood.

Lakewood Hospital Cleveland Clinic Pictures Around Town Lakewood Hospital Cleveland Clinic

Detroit Road – Center of Lakewood Pictures Around Town Detroit Road – Center of Lakewood

University of Akron Lakewood Campus Pictures Around Town University of Akron Lakewood Campus

Problem List Lack of disaster preparedness among the elderly living in high rise towers. In light of Hurricane Sandy it became evident that there were issues with communication among the elderly population living within the high rise apartment buildings. Potential of lead paint exposure in children There is a potential for lead poisoning due to age of homes in Lakewood and minimal awareness of the issue.

Plan of Action Goal: Educate elderly homebound residents to become more prepared in the event of a disaster. Evidence: Spoke with Tricia Granfors, Westshore CERT coordinator, who identified elderly in high rise apartments are a vulnerable population who were not prepared for impact of Hurricane Sandy Interview with Dottie Buckon, Director - City of Lakewood Department of Human Services, confirmed vulnerable elderly population; provided information on a location to which we could reach out

Lakewood Mayor Michael P. Summers – excerpt from November 2012 Blog “There was plenty of drama and some humor. The drama was the increasing concern about senior citizens in the high rise apartments without heat and water pressure. Many would not leave without pets, and many places would not accept pets. The American Red Cross came to the rescue- literally and figuratively. They set up a terrific shelter serving over 200 citizens. They also brought food to the senior citizen high rise apartments. The Red Cross is truly deserving of our support.” (Summers, 2012)

Intervention Educate residents utilizing Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Packets Provide example Emergency Preparedness Kit for residents to see Provide emergency contact information sheets and have residents fill out specific information for themselves Remind residents to check on neighbors if they are mobile and able to do so

Our Visit to Fedor Manor

Our Visit to Fedor Manor High rise apartment building for elderly Lakewood residents

Leslie Davis, Sloane Perry, Melanie Ramos, and Craig Erickson Fedor Manor Leslie Davis, Sloane Perry, Melanie Ramos, and Craig Erickson

Example of what to have in an emergency kit - first aid kit, blanket, Fedor Manor Example of what to have in an emergency kit - first aid kit, blanket, and towels

More examples of what to have in an emergency preparedness kit Fedor Manor More examples of what to have in an emergency preparedness kit

More examples of what to have in an emergency preparedness kit Fedor manor More examples of what to have in an emergency preparedness kit

Summary Able to successfully carry out all planned interventions Audience at Fedor Manor was very engaged and valued the information being presented All residents present received Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Packets with emergency contact information sheets included; able to assist some residents with filling out emergency contact information Extra Emergency Preparedness Packets left in the front office with Dave Britton for those residents in the building unable to attend Provided display of items to include in Emergency Preparedness Kit; residents looked at items and recognized importance of having these things available

References Summers, M. (2012, November 26). Hurricane Sandy – What a blast! [Blog message]. Retrieved from Blogger: http:// lakewoodmayor.blogspot.com/2012/11/ hurricanne-sandy-what-blast.html