Emergency Management Overview

1. Emergency Management Overview Kelly Rouba EAD & Associates, LLC April 22, 2009 2009 Annual Conference of AT Act Programs

2. Today’s Discussion • Emergency Management Framework • Key concepts and terms • Integration into Emergency Management • People with special needs in disasters • Integrating Assistive Technology

3. What is emergency management? • A coordinated and organized effort to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from an emergency. • Each level of government has designated emergency management entities. • Federal (FEMA) – 10 regions • State • Local • Non-governmental agencies, business, private industry, and others are also integral to the emergency management structure.

4. Disaster Can Strike at Any Time • An emergency is any event that has the potential to damage property or inflict harm upon people. • This includes: • Hurricanes • Tornados • Floods • Ice storms • Man-made disasters • such as hazardous materials spills,transportation accidents, fires, and terrorist events

5. Phases of Disasters • Emergency managers utilize the concept that disasters evolve over a cycle of phases. • Mitigation • Preparedness • Response • Recovery • These phases are carried out by local, State, and federal emergency managers

6. RESPONSE

7. All Disasters Are Local Disaster response begins on the local level. • Public officials provide emergency assistance to victims and try to reduce further harm/damage. • Primary responders include local fire department, police department, rescue squads, and emergency medical service (EMS) units

8. State & Federal Response Response efforts may advance to the state or federal level if resources are stressed. • Federal Government (FEMA) • State • Local

9. The Response Framework Federal Resources Request Command Needs State Resources Request Command Needs Local

10. Disaster Declarations • State declaration: state resources are released and directed to the impacted location • State Plan activated • Federal declaration: federal assets are made available to the State where the disaster has occurred • National Response Framework (NRF) activated

11. Federal Response • FEMA coordinates the Federal response • Department of Homeland Security • 10 Regions • National Response Framework is the plan for the Federal response • Emergency Support Functions: details agency roles/responsibilities • Partner with non-governmental agencies • Examples: American Red Cross, VOAD

12. National Incident Management System (NIMS) • Components include: • Preparedness • Communications and Information Management • Resource Management • Command and Management • Ongoing Management and Maintenance • Provides a common language and organizational structure across the country

13. Key Organizations • Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) • Congressionally ratified organization for interstate mutual aid • Impacted states can request and receive assistance from other member states • Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) • State and local counterparts

14. State Emergency Management • State Emergency Management Office coordinates state response • Administer State and Federal funding/grants to localities • Provide training and planning resources to localities • Develop all-hazard plans • Utilize NIMS • Planning Groups – state and local levels • Non-governmental participation • Support local planning

15. Local Emergency Management • Coordinates local resources • This includes AT Programs • Can be a separate agency or within local fire or police agencies • Local emergency managers wear “many hats” • Activate Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies

16. Integrating Special Needs Issues • Special needs issues should be integrated into all aspects of emergency management • Agencies and organizations that represent the diverse array of special needs populations involved in all aspects • There are no “quick fixes” – commitment and leadership is necessary

17. NOD/EPI and Harris Survey - 2004 • 2004 – Survey of EMs Only • 42% have a public awareness info for PwD; only 16% are available in accessible formats (i.e. Braille, cassette, large type, etc.) • 76% do not have a paid expert on staff for emergency preparedness and PwD • 36%; no special training on this topic has been offered • 39%; no specialized equipment purchased • 59% do not have plans including the pediatric population

18. Incorporating SN Into Emergency Management • Challenges • Not fully integrated • Not much “knowledge” about it • First responder community has limited understanding or awareness • Always an issue, never fully addressed • Exclusion of SN can have dire effects and cause undue disruption and perhaps even death

19. Impact Can Be Greater for People with SN • Disrupted continuum of care • Delay in AT delivery/repair • New geography/transportation issues • Effective communication issues • Identification of post-disaster needs impacting their SN

20. Collaboration • Collaboration is Essential – the task is too big! • To overcome this: • Identify partners within the community • Bring in representatives of different groups • Develop agreements that outline roles and responsibilities (MOUs)

21. Emergency Preparedness and AT Programs • How can AT Programs Educate Others? • People with Disabilities (go bags, ready kits, records of AT, etc.) • Collaborative Brochure • Local Emergency Managers • Importance of AT and need to ensure shelters are equipped.

22. Resource: NOD Emergency Preparedness Initiative National Map of Emergency Response Resources As a service to first responders, emergency managers and people with disabilities, NOD-EPI has created an interactive map of federal, regional, state, and local disability-related emergency management resources. It can be found at: http://www.nod.org/EPIResources/interactive_map.html

23. Thank You!! Kelly Rouba EAD & Associates, LLC Krouba@eadassociates.com 718.330.0034