1. 1 Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Assistance Webinar June 6, 2007 Overview of State and Area Agency on Aging Emergency Preparedness Activities in California California Department of Aging (CDA) Damon Nelson (916) 928-3325 dnelson@aging.ca.gov http://www.aging.ca.gov/aaa/guidance/aaa_disaster_preparedness.html

2. *www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/P olitics/6-05-19- AgingCommitteeTriesAgain.htm2 Lessons Learned “…it is the government’s responsibility to make certain that adequate steps have been taken to identify those in need, evacuate seniors to a safe place and provide appropriate care once displaced.“ Gordon H. Smith, Former Chair of Senate Special Committee on Aging* “…it is the government’s responsibility to make certain that adequate steps have been taken to identify those in need, evacuate seniors to a safe place and provide appropriate care once displaced.“ Gordon H. Smith, Former Chair of Senate Special Committee on Aging* Started with a review of various reports on 9/11 & Hurricane Katrina Started with a review of various reports on 9/11 & Hurricane Katrina Determined broad based general guidance (33 diverse AAAs in CA) Determined broad based general guidance (33 diverse AAAs in CA)

3. 3Experience 1 st must frame Disaster Preparedness as important 1 st must frame Disaster Preparedness as important Especially in CA (4 seasons of disasters) Especially in CA (4 seasons of disasters) Met with AAA Directors Met with AAA Directors Asked for a focus on Disaster Preparedness… 1. Critical for the well-being of seniors Asked for a focus on Disaster Preparedness… 1. Critical for the well-being of seniors 2. OAA responsibility of AAAs to advocate for seniors

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5. 5 General Guidance to AAAs (1) Coordinate with local OES (seat at the table) Coordinate with local OES (seat at the table) Advocate for senior’s needs during planning (transportation, shelter, incontinence supplies) Advocate for senior’s needs during planning (transportation, shelter, incontinence supplies) Determine AAA’s response roles before an event Determine AAA’s response roles before an event AAA RFPs and provider contracts require disaster plans AAA RFPs and provider contracts require disaster plans Who is identifying frail and vulnerable & when is this information shared with 1 st responders Who is identifying frail and vulnerable & when is this information shared with 1 st responders

6. 6 General Guidance to AAAs (2) Identify AAA’s critical functions and develop plans to continue services Identify AAA’s critical functions and develop plans to continue services Central Kitchen MOU’s to share facilities Central Kitchen MOU’s to share facilities Home Delivered Meal Drivers recognized by law enforcement & granted access Home Delivered Meal Drivers recognized by law enforcement & granted access Train AAA staff and providers on their roles Train AAA staff and providers on their roles Encourage AAA staff to develop plans for their family Encourage AAA staff to develop plans for their family

7. 7 AAA Best Practices Detailed descriptions on website: Detailed descriptions on website: http://www.aging.ca.gov/aaa/guidance/aaa_disaster_preparedness_resources.html  AAA senior advocate on local OES board  Volunteer registries with type & degree of need  Call center relocation procedures  Procedures for evaluating contracted provider status after an event

8. 8 CDA Relations & Critical Activities Developed relation with State OES after Katrina …highlighted the need to include senior needs when planning Developed relation with State OES after Katrina …highlighted the need to include senior needs when planning Seat at OES command center & input on planning Seat at OES command center & input on planning COOP/COG Draft Plan rated 100% by OES COOP/COG Draft Plan rated 100% by OES 1. Maintain Ombudsman Crisis Line to take calls on suspected abuse & neglect at long term care facilities 2. Ensure Payment to AAAs 3. Maintain 2 way communication down to AAAs and up to Governor, OES, and AoA Key: MOU in and out of state to share facilities Key: MOU in and out of state to share facilities

9. 9 CDA’s Response to an Event Team with mission statement & written roles Team with mission statement & written roles Team meets at the onset of a declared emergency Team meets at the onset of a declared emergency Conduct a briefing on the situation Conduct a briefing on the situation Coordinate messages Coordinate messages Contact AAAs and ask for brief status report on needs and how seniors were affected Contact AAAs and ask for brief status report on needs and how seniors were affected Summarize local provider reports and share with Governor, OES, and AoA Summarize local provider reports and share with Governor, OES, and AoA

10. 10 CDA Website & Education Disaster Assistance Handbook (detailed descriptions) Disaster Assistance Handbook (detailed descriptions) Links (PrepareNow.org & 72hours.org) Links (PrepareNow.org & 72hours.org) Resources & Sample Client Emergency Plans Resources & Sample Client Emergency Plans Tip Sheets for Seniors Tip Sheets for Seniors Conference presentations on roles, building capacity, maintaining communication, & pandemic awareness Conference presentations on roles, building capacity, maintaining communication, & pandemic awareness

11. 11 AAA Planning Planning (Facilitates interaction with other community entities and helps foster awareness about all senior related issues) Planning (Facilitates interaction with other community entities and helps foster awareness about all senior related issues) Area Plan Appendix on Disaster Preparedness Area Plan Appendix on Disaster Preparedness Electronic copy will be made available Electronic copy will be made available

12. 12Conclusion Excellent Progress by the AAAs in CA Excellent Progress by the AAAs in CA Starting small can lead to big achievements Starting small can lead to big achievements