Lanny Mommsen, MPH Program Coordinator Alaska Health and Disability Program Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education Division of Public Health

Alaska Health and Disability Program AHDP Committee formed in 2011 CDC Grant in 2012 Focus Health Promotion Emergency Preparedness Committee includes 37 partners Ad hoc committee as part of Marcy’s thesis project with GCDSE Received health and disability grant Three year grant We are always looking for new committee members Participation in projects Advocacy Outreach

Focus Areas Abuse Prevention and Intervention Behavioral Health Emergency Preparedness Nutrition and Physical Activity Oral Health Preventive Health Screenings Sexual Health Tobacco Use

Emergency Preparedness Survey Conducted needs assessment in 2013 Surveyed: Alaskans with disabilities Caregivers Family members

Emergency Preparedness Survey Findings 92% feel vulnerable to a disaster 54% have adequate supplies 31% have a Go Kit 18% have a written plan Adequate supplies to shelter in place for 3 days (food, water, meds, etc.) Go kit – 72 hour kit Those with a written plan were more likely to live outside of the Anchorage area

Emergency Preparedness Survey Major barriers identified Lack of time Apathy Financial resources Lack of knowledge Most respondents indicated that they needed and wanted assistance from family, friends, and caregivers in preparing Each of these barriers can be overcome

Get Ready! Toolkit Offers strengths-based format: 7 Offers strengths-based format: Specific kinds of emergencies Specific types of disability Assessing individual needs Building a personal support network Tools for sheltering in place Information on evacuation GRT uses an accessible format with large font, is Alaska-specific, and uses plain language.

What’s Usually in a Plan? 8 Contact information Phone, email, address Other household members Out of town contacts Neighbors, coworkers, friends Name, address and directions to 2 meeting places So what should you include in a plan. This is a list of items usually included in a plan. I say usually because everyone’s needs are different. But, the items listed on this first slide are considered essential when writing a plan because they cover the basics.

What if I Experience a Disability? 9 Transportation options List of medications Allergies List of medical equipment/supplies Insurance Service animal information

Section 1: What to Be Prepared For 10

Specific Emergency Information 11 Power Outage If there is a power outage in your neighborhood: DO turn off and unplug all your electrical appliances and computer DO NOT use candles. They can cause fires.

Section 2:Tips for Specific Disabilities 12

Communications

Section 3: Making a Plan 14

Strengths-based Planning Personal ability plan Abilities today Help needed in emergency Communication Daily Living Utilities Getting Around Evacuating Service animals and pets

Medication List

Extra Medication Needs Ask your doctor: Extra prescription for your emergency kit? Samples Fill prescription 5-7 days early If insurance allows Rotate separately

Emergency Supplies 18 Enough supplies for at least 7 days

Types of Emergency Kits 19 Home Kit Go Kit Safety Kept in Place (SKIP) Kit Service Animal/Pet Kit

What’s in a Home Kit? 20

What’s in a Go Kit? We should discuss how much water, how much food, etc.

What’s in a SKIP Kit? Whistle Flashlight with extra batteries Bandana 22 Whistle Flashlight with extra batteries Bandana Permanent marker Mylar blanket Hand warmers Emergency information A SKIP kit fits in a zip lock bag. It usually has a whistle to call for help; a flashlight with batteries to see and or signal someone. A bandana to cover your mouth or carry something or use as a bandage; A Sharpie marker to write notes or write your contact information on your child; a mylar blanket to keep warm; and hand warmers.

Service Animal and Pet Kit 23

Section 4:Should I Stay or Should I Go? 24

Section 5: Resources 25

Family Emergency Plan Templates 26

Resources Alaska 2-1-1 www.alaska211.org Current emergency information 27 Alaska 2-1-1 www.alaska211.org Current emergency information Centers for Independent Living www.alaskasilc.org FEMA Smartphone App www.fema.gov/smartphone-app Local Emergency Planning Committees ready.Alaska.gov/serc/lepc_home.htm

Resources Medic Alert www.medicalert.org State of Alaska www.ak-prepared.com 7 Day Survival Kit list Yellow Dot program www.myyellowdots.com

Questions… and THANK YOU! www.facebook.com/ AlaskaHealthandDisability or dhss.alaska.gov/dph/wcfh/Pages/ Disability The Get Ready! Toolkit was supported by the Cooperative Agreement Number 5U59DD948-02 from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.