1. Project Safe EV-AC http://evac.icdi.wvu.edu Safety Matters:
How to Safely Evacuate from your Home
National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research
Project Safe EV-AC

2. International Center for Disability Information
West Virginia University
College of Human Resources & Education
Project Safe EV-AC

3. 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

4. Phases of Emergency Management
Mitigation
Preparedness
Recovery
Response

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. External Considerations
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.

8. Internal Considerations
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.

9. 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.

10. 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).

11. 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.

12. Preparedness Prioritize: Most important things you need to have.
Other things you may need.
Other good-to-have things.

13. 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.

14. Response
Respiratory Impairment:
Evacuation hood
Respirator/mask

15. Response Speech Impairment: Speech amplification device
Speech enhancer
Alpha-numeric pager
Two way instant messaging
Pre-written notes

16. 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

17. Response Hearing Loss: Vibrating pager Flashlight to read lips
Lighted fire strobes and other visual or vibrating alerting devices
Wireless communication

18. Response Mobility Impairment: Wheelchair evacuation Evacuation devices
Area of rescue assistance
Barrier free route of travel
Wheelchair supplies

19. 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

20. Response Psychiatric Impairment: Practice with a buddy or counselor
Clarify emergency process in writing
Implement backup exit procedures

21. Federal Government Responds Voluntary Organizations Respond
Recovery
Locality Responds
State Responds
Federal Government Responds
Voluntary Organizations Respond

22. 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.

23. Effective Process Goals: Reduce loss of life. Reduce property damages.
Ensure effective, efficient response.
Lay the groundwork for improvements.

24. International Center for Disability Information
West Virginia University
College of Human Resources & Education
Project Safe EV-AC