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Emergency/Disaster Coordination

Learn crucial strategies and protocols for disaster assistance coordination during emergencies like hurricanes, earthquakes, and more, focusing on elderly and disabled populations. This guide covers communication, evacuation, special needs considerations, and self-help examples, tailored for utmost safety and efficiency.

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Emergency/Disaster Coordination

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  1. Emergency/Disaster Coordination Irma Tetzloff AoA Regional Office Liaison - Disaster Assistance Coordinator 4th State Units on Aging Nutritionists/Administrators ConferenceAugust 2006

  2. Types of Emergencies Disaster-happen any place, any time • Mother Nature -Hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, wildfires, snow/ice • Manmade –terrorist, accidents, hazardous materials, explosions, civil unrest • Technology – IT or utility failure • Disease-epidemics, heat emergencies

  3. In Every Emergency– first and highest priority Preservation of Human Life

  4. Safety First • 1st thoughts – fear, how can I stay safe • 2nd– how are those around me, my loved ones • Third thought – what can I do to help

  5. Problems Encountered • Communications non-existent or impaired • Evacuate or not – evacuate to where • Who needs help, who can handle self • Transportation impaired, gas • Determining best use of resources • Who can help, what’s available • Hysteria/grief

  6. Special Needs –Elderly/disabled Who are they – where are they? • Databases – computer files • AAA’s, case managers, in-home workers, services providers, medical providers, churches, utility companies • Where located -Live at home, congregate housing, assisted living, nursing homes

  7. Type of Need • Limited mobility – lack transportation, need physical assistance – walker/wheelchair, bed bound • Cognitive impairment – Alzheimer’s • Sensory impaired – vision, hearing • Language barrier • Isolated - rural

  8. Special Needs Shelters Person needing assistance -- physical, mental or sensory impairments • Oxygen dependent, wheelchair, frail, Alzheimer’s • One caregiver should go with dependent person

  9. Working Through • Safety-first priority • Resources available • Who can help? Staff, Volunteers • Organize – division of labor • Set priorities – stay focused on tasks • Determine which activities benefit most • Improvise • Credential helpers!!!

  10. Mapping Community GIS/MAPQUEST/PRINTED MAP • Special needs population - Friends, neighbors, family • Gathering places – potential shelters • Senior Center, nutrition site, community center • Services providers, businesses

  11. Evacuation Advisories • Only necessary items – prescription meds, assistive devices – hearing aides, glasses, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, cash • Building safety – structural, gas, electrical, chemical, fires (Flashlights) • Pets – shelters generally don’t take • Communication devices – cell phone, battery radios, laptops, disks, two way radios • Insect spray/sun screen

  12. Self Help Examples • Encourage emergency preparedness kits • Easy to grab and go, sturdy • Food, water, prescription meds – 5 to 7 days • List of contacts –family, medical • Walking shoes • Car kit –add maps, blanket, fire ext., flares, some gas

  13. More Things • Sanitation • Cell phones • Cash • Credit cards • Phone trees – keep someone informed • Insurance papers, business docs

  14. CDC Recommends • Power off before leaving—electricity, gas – have checked before power on • Generators cautions–carbon monoxide poisoning (500 die each yr.) • Soap/water/handywipes/disinfectants • Boil water (1 minute rolling boil) keep cool/bottled water

  15. OAA Supportive Services • Information and assistance • Outreach • Personal care, homemaker, chore • Meals – including HDM • Transportation/assisted trans. • Legal assistance • Alzheimer’s program

  16. Texas – (example) • 211 system-- special needs persons register for transportation for potential evacuation – working with transit and para-transit --registered will be picked-up automatically. • Other concerns – evacuation routes, fuel and traffic management • State Operations Center (SOC) will manage

  17. Virginia • Total 60+ -- 1,179,159 • Total OAA $24 Million + • Total # of AAA’s -22 • Nearly $8 million Supportive Services • Nearly $12 million Congregate and HDM • Caregiver - $3.3 million • LTC Ombudsman/elder abuse - $437,000 • Rural population – one third

  18. Communication • Accurate • Info from a trusted source • Understandable • English or other/Literacy level • Informative/repetitive • Call Center

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