Personal Preparedness for Special Needs Populations and Service Providers Train the Trainer Presented by the Northwest Ohio Special Needs Disaster Preparedness Committee Lucas County EMS Training Center Spring, 2008

Objectives 1.Provide an understanding of the importance of preparing individuals with special needs for incidences of disaster. 2. Provide an understanding of the Emergency Management “Be Prepared” Kit. 3.Provide training tips so the program for personal preparedness for special needs populations can be repeated in Lucas County.

How did we get here? The NW Ohio Special Needs Populations Disaster Preparedness Committee been meeting for just over 2 years The Committee is made up of an average of 20 organizations and consumers who meet regularly to enhance disaster preparedness for persons with special needs The Committee coordinates work with the Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities

How did we get here? 2007 Committee Goals Incorporate persons with special needs into general population mass care shelters – September, 2007 Provide for adequate attention to medical and daily care needs of persons with special needs in a mass care shelter – September, 2007 Design education resource to assist with personal disaster preparedness for persons with special needs – “Personal Preparedness for Special Needs Populations and Service Providers”

The Challenge 2006 U.S. Census estimates indicate that 17.7%, of the Lucas County population ages 5 years and over (nearly 72,000 people) are disabled Nationally, the estimate is 15.1% In an emergency, the number of first responders available to assist everyone will be limited

The Challenge Thousands of NW Ohio residents have physical, medical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities and other special needs including those who are: – Visually impaired – Hearing impaired – Mobility impaired – Single working parents – Older Americans – Non-English speaking persons – People without vehicles – People with special dietary needs – People with medical conditions – People with mental retardation – People with dementia

The Challenge Emergencies such as fires, floods, or acts of terrorism present a real challenge to persons with special needs Planning ahead and identifying the additional steps and assistance which may be needed to protect individuals with specials needs is important

The Challenge Prepare individuals with special needs to: 1) Remain independent and safe in their homes, OR; 2) Successfully incorporate into general population mass care shelters.

Responding to the challenge When are you needed? – Right now for planning, training, exercises, etc. – During a disaster – After the disaster What can I do? – Get informed – Make a plan – Assemble a kit/supplies – Maintain and exercise the plan and supplies – Inform others – Assist others to make a plan

Get Informed 2006 U.S. Census estimates indicate that 17.7%, of the Lucas County population ages 5 years and over (nearly 72,000 people) are disabled

What type of emergency do I plan for? 1. Shelter in Place or Stay At Home During a Disaster for Different Types of Emergencies – When the electrical power is out – During a winter storm or thunderstorm – During and after tornados – During floods – Other times when the local authorities have determined it is best to just stay home Source: FEMA website –

What type of emergency do I plan for? 2. Evacuate or Leave Home During a Disaster to a Pre-Determined Location – Be prepared to stay in the mass care shelter for at least 24 hours – Identify transportation needs – Identify Equipment needs (motorized wheelchair, manual wheel chair, walker, etc.) – Take specialized emergency kit (include medications) – Involve your personal support network in the planning – Be prepared to arrive without your normal caregiver or support system How can the shelter workers best communicate with you? What are your most immediate needs? Other important facts which should be known about you

Make a Plan Complete the Emergency Management Be Prepared Kit Keep the Citizen Alert Response in an Emergency [C.A.R.E.] card handy

Make A Plan Readiness Checklist: Emergency Plan for at Home Aka – Shelter in Place Emergency Supplies – Medications – Equipment and assistive devices – Readiness – Reasonable accommodations

Make A Plan Readiness Checklist: Be Prepared to Go to a Shelter – Readiness – Make your “Be Prepared Kit” – Shelter Accommodations Checklist:

Make A Plan Be Prepared to Go to a Shelter Shelter Accommodations Checklist: – Communication – Adapting to a new place – Medications – Medical needs – Mobility – Service Animals – Adapted and medical equipment – Using Bathrooms – Eating and Drinking

Make A Plan Be Prepared to Go to a Shelter Shelter Accommodations Checklist (cont): – Bathing, dressing, and grooming – Sleeping – Anything else?

Make A Plan Be Prepared to Go to a Shelter Important People and Papers – Complete a Health Information Card – Identify a personal support network – Create an emergency contact list – Copy important documents and papers

The C.A.R.E. Card Yellow side – OK – Informs your personal support network that you are ok Orange side – not OK – Informs your personal support network that you are in need of assistance

What’s Next? Identify individuals in the community who have a special need Inform them of the importance to Be Prepared Assist the individuals to create their own Be- Prepared Kit.

What’s Next? Review the Personal Preparedness for Special Needs Populations and Service Providers program with others – Power point – Emergency Management Be- Prepared Kit – C.A.R.E Card

Tips for the Trainer Preparing for the Workshop: – Schedule the Date, Time, and Location of the training. – Advertise the training at least 2 weeks before the scheduled training – Request a pre-registration to the training. Collect a phone number and/ or just in case rescheduling of the training is required. – Send a training reminder a few days before the training.

Tips for the Trainer Prepare to lead the training: – Review the training materials. – Familiarize yourself with PowerPoint and the equipment to be used during the training – Review the list of individuals planning to attend the training. – Prepare handouts for each person listed to attend. – Plan your schedule to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the training.

Tips for the Trainer Prepare the location: – Make arrangements for equipment: Power point – computer and projector Dry erase board or flip chart with markers – The training location should be free from external distractions, overhead paging, and walk-by traffic. – Classroom style set-up to the room is preferred since the participants will need to take notes during the presentation. – Prepare the sign in location with: Sign-in sheet Training material

Goal The Northwest Ohio Special Needs Disaster Preparedness Committee hopes to reach ______ people in the Lucas County community with the disaster preparedness program for people with special needs.

Thank you for your participation in the preparedness of the people with special needs who live in our community. We are stronger because of your actions. Northwest Ohio Special Needs Disaster Preparedness Committee