Sarah Vaughan-Jones ACC Christchurch 28-29 May 2012

1. Disability-inclusive emergency preparedness and response:Learning from the Canterbury earthquakes Sarah Vaughan-Jones ACC Christchurch 28-29 May 2012

2. Lesson number 1 We are not the emergency response coordinators

3. Quality information on location of clients ACC Out-of-region call centre capacity Local emergency responsecoordinators

4. Learning for ACC • Knowing that there will be a local emergency response coordinator • In an emergency: • ACC needs to quickly establish who the local emergency response coordinator is • Open channels of regular communication with them • Share information & offer out-of-region resources • Emergency response coordinator will make decisions

5. Lesson number 2 Local people will respond in their own ways

6. Local people will respond • Business continuity plans ofhome help agencies & other service suppliers contractedto ACC: • Required to contact ACC clients theyprovide services to • People with disabilities will help themselves: • They have their own families & support networks

7. Local people will respond • People will leave the regionwithout telling supportagencies • If they need assistance,they know who to contact

8. Learning for ACC • Expect local service suppliers & clients to respond to the emergency themselves • Don’t expect them to tell ACC what they’re doing • Long-term relationship means clients know who to call if they need help

9. Learning about ACC • ACC is a purchaser of services, not a provider of services: • Apart from case management staff • ACC has no personnel that delivertreatment, nursing, or other supportservices to its clients

10. Learning about ACC • ACC’s legislation prescribes: • Levies (insurance premiums) can onlybe spent on: • Preventing injuries • Accessing treatment & rehabilitationfor people to recover from their injury • ACC has no discretion to spend levypayers’ money on other initiatives, such as trauma counselling

11. Questions?