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

2. International Center for Disability Information West Virginia University College of Human Resources & Education Project Safe EV-AC http://evac.icdi.wvu.edu

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

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. 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. 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. 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 http://evac.icdi.wvu.edu Beth.Loy@mail.wvu.edu