Emergency Preparedness-What Does That Mean For People With I/DD, Their Families, And Their Communities?

Tuesday, January 22, 2013, 3:00pm – 4:00 pm (ET)

https://www.aucd.org/template/event.cfm?event_id=3557&id=16

Emergency preparedness is an essential part of living for any individual or family. For those with intellectual disabilities, their families, or those providing support, however, emergency preparedness may require more specific plans of support. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a number of resources to prepare and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities before, during, and after natural disasters. Of key importance is the implementation of self-determination practices in this area. One example of this implementation is the "Feeling Safe, Being Safe" training curriculum through which individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have become advocates and trainers in emergency preparedness.

Major Wireless Carriers Accelerate Availability of Text to 911

On December 6, 2012, the FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced that the four major wireless carriers – AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile – have agreed to accelerate the availability of text-to-911, with major deployments expected in 2013 and a commitment to nationwide availability by May 15, 2014.  

Text-to-911 will provide consumers, including millions of consumers with hearing and speech disabilities, access to emergency services by enabling them to send a text message to 911.  This will also provide consumers with enhanced access to emergency communications in situations where a voice call could endanger the caller, or a person with disabilities is unable to make a voice call.  Text-to-911 will be available as an addition to, not a substitute for, voice calls to 911 services, and consumers should always make a voice call to 911 during an emergency if they can.

Links to the announcement:

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db1207/DOC-317786A1.doc

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db1207/DOC-317786A1.pdf

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db1207/DOC-317786A1.txt

Online Toolkit Assists to Help Make Social Media Messages during Emergencies More Accessible

The online toolkit provides tips, resources and apps to help people with a disability to overcome accessibility challenges of social media. The kit also includes guidelines to assist the emergency sector, government, community, media and business to make social media messages more accessible.

http://emergency20wiki.org/wiki/index.php/Accessibility_Toolkit

IPAWS Bill Passes House

September 19, 2012 — After Representative Jeff Denham (R-CA) introduced the FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2012 [H.R. 2903] to the U.S. House of Representatives in September, the bill passed with a unanimous vote. The bill focuses on improving the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) assistance to state and local regions, making FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) a law, and establishing an advisory committee to provide recommendations for IPAWS. Currently, IPAWS is authorized by Executive Order 13407. Under this bill, the implementation of IPAWS requires “the capability to alert and warn and provide the equivalent amount of information to individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs” [H.R. 2903]. In addition, the IPAWS system will, “to the extent technically feasible, be designed to provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected population, including nonresident visitors and tourists and individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs, and improve the ability of remote areas to receive alerts” [H.R. 2903].

User Experience Enhancements: Improvements to Mobile Features and Access to Outreach Materials

As part of our continuing efforts to improve the user experience and respond to site visitor feedback, the Disaster Assistance Improvement Program (DAIP) recently implemented enhancements including a mobile version of the pre-screening questionnaire and a “Forms and Materials” page to provide disaster survivors with fact sheets and other printable information regarding disaster assistance.

Following a disaster, electricity and computers may not be available in many affected areas. Mobile devices are often the only means of communication or information access immediately following a disaster. With this in mind, DAIP developed an optimized version of the pre-screening questionnaire to make it easier for users with mobile devices such as the iPhone and Android to find and apply for forms of assistance (FOAs) they may be eligible to receive. Disaster survivors can not only take the pre-screening questionnaire to find FOAs for which they may be eligible, but also apply online for certain FOAs through the FEMA Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) and email the FOA results page for future reference. Users will be able to access the pre-screening questionnaire from a mobile device through the DAC landing page, which provides the user the option to access the optimized version of questionnaire or the full site.

A record number of disaster survivors, primarily from Hurricane Isaac, used www.DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for assistance, update their information and check the status of their application online. Read more about Hurricane Isaac survivors going mobile for assistance on the FEMA blog.

Another enhancement to the site is the addition of a “Forms and Materials” page. On this page, disaster survivors may download forms and access information about DAIP and the disaster assistance registration process. Informational materials specifically targeted to tribes, emergency managers, volunteers, students and disaster survivors are available—in downloadable PDF format. Disaster survivors may also download a “Disaster Assistance Registration Check List” to help them register with FEMA for disaster assistance, as well as the “Declaration and Release” form, which is critical to completing the disaster assistance registration process. Additionally, DAIP’s “Youth Materials” provide activities such as a crossword puzzle and word scramble to help students in elementary, middle and high school learn more about disaster assistance. Six youth preparedness programs in schools around the country include these activities in their curriculum to help students and families better prepare for, and respond to, disasters in their communities. DAIP will add the most up-to-date informational materials to the “Forms and Materials” page as necessary.

Hurricane Preparedness Week teleconference May 23, 2012 at 2pm EST

Please join us for a Hurricane Preparedness Week teleconference focusing on inclusive emergency preparedness with an emphasis on the access and functional needs of children and adults with disabilities.

DATE: May 23, 2012

TIME: 2pm Eastern (1pm Central, 12pm Mountain, 11am Pacific)

Number: 1-212-547-0466 or 800-593-0692

Passcode: Hurricane Preparedness Week

Captioning Link: http://fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1949933&CustomerID=321

In 2011, FEMA responded to 98 major disaster declarations. One of the biggest was Hurricane Irene which impacted 14 states and 35 million people.

Hurricanes don’t just bring wind and rain; they can also bring other severe problems such as lightning strikes, flooding, extended power outages, and can interrupt or destroy vital community resources, like public transportation.  These problems affect all Americans including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

Hurricane season begins on June 1^st, 2012 and FEMA and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are partnering to help Americans become prepared for hurricanes and other types of severe weather.   As Administrator Craig Fugate often says, “FEMA is only part of the emergency management team.”  Key members of the team are the public.  That is why we are encouraging everyone to do their part and we’re asking your help as a member of the community to make this effort successful.

Please join Marcie Roth, Director of the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination (ODIC) and other senior leaders at FEMA to find out how you can help your community become better prepared for meeting the needs of the whole community during hurricanes and other types of severe weather.

During this preparedness week we are reminding  you to be a force of nature – Pledge to prepare at http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes, take action, and be an example by sharing what you have done with your friends, family, and coworkers.

The National Preparedness Report (NPR)

The National Preparedness Report (NPR) has recently been released. The Report was developed to meet the requirements of Presidential Policy Directive 8/PPD-8: National Preparedness which identifies significant progress the nation has made in areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.  Overall the Report found that the nation has increased its collective preparedness, not only from external threats, but also for natural and technological hazards that face all communities as a whole.

National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2012 runs - May 27th through June 2nd

National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2012 runs from May 27th through June 2nd

 

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/

 

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. 

Hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, high winds, tornadoes, and rip currents. The National Weather Service is responsible for protecting life and property through issuance of timely watches and warnings, but it is essential that your family be ready before a storm approaches. Furthermore, mariners should be aware of special safety precautions when confronted with a hurricane. 

Download the Tropical Cyclone Preparedness Guide (PDF) or follow the links for more information. But remember, this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.

The Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2012

The Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2012 [P.L. 112-96] was recently signed into law in order to establish a 9-1-1 Implementation Coordination Office responsible for the coordination of 9-1-1 services as well as the facilitation of grant programs for state, local and tribal entities providing these services. In addition, The House Homeland Security Committee recently passed The Integrated Public Alert and Public Warning System Modernization Act of 2011 [H.R. 3563] to establish common alerting protocols and operating procedures for warning systems. The Act stresses the accessibility of alerts by calling for the alert content to adapt to users’ needs, especially for people with disabilities, and for the dissemination of alerts to be subject to a users’ geographic location and personal preferences.

Los Angeles Settlement Requires Development of New Emergency Response Plans to Include People with Disabilities

Settlement: Disabled must be included in disaster plans

In a legal settlement with far-reaching implications, the city of Los Angeles agreed Wednesday to develop new emergency response plans that will consider care for the disabled.

The settlement, which calls for $2.1 million in payments to the law firms representing the disabled, is the largest so far won by disabled rights advocates seeking to have plans for earthquakes, fires, flooding and other emergencies reflect the special needs of the community.

"We have been trying to work it out with the city for years," said Sidney Wolinsky of Disability Rights Advocates of Berkeley, who brought the legal action along with the Disability Rights Legal Center of Los Angeles.

"This is the first case that we have been able to resolve after the judge ruled our way. It will be a precedent for us as we work with other cities.

"This has been a long-standing problem with agencies in not considering the needs of the disabled," Wolinsky said. "I think it has been a problem for emergency and disaster planning and has been one of those things that have fallen through the cracks."

Under the agreement, Los Angeles emergency planners will have to develop special plans for the disabled - there are an estimated 500,000 people with disabilities in Los Angeles - in case of an emergency.

Click here for the direct link to the article

Pass It On Center and Georgia Tech co-host the FEMA Think Tank for March 2012, Focuses on Disability Topics

Disasters can strike anywhere, anytime and can impact anyone, so everyone must be involved in emergency planning, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts. This is a message that FEMA’s senior leadership brings to the table at every opportunity.

Deputy FEMA Administrator Richard Serino drove this point home during the Think Tank conference call in Atlanta at the Georgia Institute of Technology, March 22, 2012. Introducing the topic to an audience of over 30 community leaders in the room and more than 500 callers nationwide, he stressed the benefits of the call.

“Talking with teachers, leaders in the access and functional needs community, non-profit and community organizers – all of which are the epitome of whole community – gives me, and everyone, a better understanding of the reality – on the ground,” Serino said.

Topics discussed during the call included a focus on the importance of having access to electrical power and alternatives during disasters, especially for individuals with disabilities and other types of access and functional needs. Carolyn Phillips, program director at Georgia’s Pass It On Center, Tools for Life, the state’s Assistive Technology Act Program, noted that as smartphones have many different types of alternating current electrical power adapters, medical and assistive devices also have the same variability.

To demonstrate this point, Liz Persaud, Phillips’s colleague from Tools for Life, brought the chargers she’d need to keep her equipment fully functional. It required a suitcase to carry all of the items and weighed over 30 pounds.

Other speakers noted that individuals need to proactively plan for major power losses by including alternate sources of power such as solar power or generators.

“We need to think more creatively about power and how we convert power for people with access and functional needs,” said Phillips. She also stressed the need for including power access issues in drills and assessing those outcomes in after-action reports.

Atlanta, Ga., March 22, 2012 -- FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino opens the Think Tank conference call at the Georgia Tech Centergy Building in downtown Atlanta. Also pictured (L) Marcie Roth, FEMA Director of Disability Integration and Andy Altizer (c), Georgia Tech Director of Emergency Preparedness. The Think Tank forum is designed to engage our partners, promote innovation and facilitate discussion in the field of emergency management.

Atlanta, Ga., March 22, 2012 -- At the Think Tank conference call at the Georgia Tech Centergy Building in downtown Atlanta, FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino discusses powering durable medical equipment following disasters with Carolyn Phillips, Director of The Pass it On Center. The Think Tank forum is designed to engage our partners, promote innovation and facilitate discussion in the field of emergency management.

Direct link: http://blog.fema.gov/2012/03/fema-think-tank-for-march-2012-focuses.html

Wireless RERC Comments on Test of National EAS System

The Wireless RERC filed ex parte comments with the FCC regarding the national test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) conducted on November 9, 2011.  The comments were submitted in the form of the Wireless RERC's Report on the National EAS Test On-line Survey and Focus Group Findings.

From November 2, 2011 through November 18, 2011, the Wireless RERC conducted two surveys, one prior to the November 9th national EAS test and the other following the test.  Four hundred and three (403) people responded to the pre and post-EAS test surveys.  The surveys evaluated responses from people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision in order to understand the effectiveness of EAS for people with sensory disabilities.  In addition, on November 9th during the actual tests, 22 people with sensory disabilities participated in focus groups held at Public Broadcasting Atlanta (PBA). 

The ex parte comments reported the data, analyses and findings from the surveys and focus groups. The nationwide test of EAS revealed technical, policy and practice related challenges.  The focus groups and surveys showed a number of access barriers including inconsistent use of audio, a lack of a visual alert mechanism and text crawl that was difficult to read due to size and speed.  Respondents and participants with hearing loss found that the national EAS test message was not fully accessible, reporting problems with the attention signal and audio quality.  

Regarding policy and practice, the voluntary nature of the system resulted in the inconsistent implementation of the rules and regulations regarding state and local participation in EAS.  Some recommendations for improving the accessibility of EAS delivered over television and radio include:

• Always provide audio and visual formats of alert content for all types of alerts (weather, Amber, presidential, free text).
• Standardize the appearance of EAS messages.
• Incorporate pre-recorded or rapidly assembled ASL video translation of message content; and
• Include a visual alert mechanism such as a screen flash.

FEMA Think Tank - March 22nd, 2012 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Last November, I launched the FEMA Think Tank - a forum to engage our partners, promote innovation, and facilitate discussions in the field of emergency management. There are two components to the FEMA Think Tank: 1) An online forum that encourages discussion on a variety of emergency management issues, which can be found at www.fema.gov/thinktank; and 2) monthly conference calls to further discuss submissions to the online forum.

During February’s FEMA Think Tank conference call, over 500 individuals participated in a discussion on technology in emergency management with featured topics on smart phone apps and amateur radio.  Participants on the call ranged from State, Local, Tribal, and Federal emergency managers, first responders, and others concerned about helping our communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. It was a productive and informative discussion of ideas, which reinforced the importance of bringing the whole community together to develop ideas and best practices.

I am pleased to announce the next FEMA Think Tank conference call will take place on March 22^nd, 2012 and I would like to invite you to join me as I conduct the call from the Centergy Building - 3^rd Floor, Hodges Room, 75 Fifth Street, NW, Atlanta, GA  30308. The call will take place from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and it will be open to a national audience of State, Local and Tribal government officials, and all members of the public including the private sector, the functional needs community, and volunteer community, who share an interest in emergency management.

The focus of this month’s conference call will be on Strategies and Approaches for Incorporating and Integrating Disability Related Access and Functional Needs Issues and Concerns into Emergency Management Actions/Activities.  Please check the Think Tank website for more information on the specific ideas to be discussed.

Kindly RSVP by Wednesday, March 21^st, 2012, to Nancy Mize at FEMA Region IV

External Affairs on (770)-220-5211 or by email: nancy.mize@dhs.gov.  Should you require disability accommodations, please let us know your specific needs when you RSVP.

If you cannot attend in person but wish to join the discussion, please see conference information below:

Call-In Number: 800-593-0692

Pass Code: Think Tank March

Individuals who would like to access the captioning for this event may do so by clicking the following link at the start of the event: http://www.fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1920179&CustomerID=321.

Until then, I encourage you to visit the online forum at www.fema.gov/thinktank to comment on the ideas we will be discussing this month or submit your own ideas and comment on others.

See you in Atlanta!

Sincerely,

Rich Serino

Deputy Administrator

Federal Emergency Management Agency

New FEMA, CNCS Partnership Strengthens Response, Recovery Efforts Following Disasters

The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) today announced an innovative new partnership designed to strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to and recover from disasters.

 

FEMA Corps is an historic collaboration between a federal agency and a national service organization and will create a new unit of AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) whose members will be devoted solely to FEMA disaster response and recovery efforts. The five-year agreement provides for a full service corps of 1,600 members annually who will be an additional workforce in support of FEMA’s current disaster reserve workforce.

This new partnership is important for many reasons but none more important than the positive impact it will have on disaster survivors.  NCCC FEMA Corps will strengthen the nation’s disaster response by providing a dedicated, trained and reliable workforce to support disaster survivors and impacted communities during their greatest time of need.  

The NCCC members will increase diversity of the disaster workforce, while providing educational and economic opportunities for young people as they consider their future careers. The FEMA Corps members will serve for a 10 month term with an option to extend for a second year. The program will prepare thousands of young people for careers in emergency management and related fields. During their service, they will gain significant training and experience in disaster services and will provide important support to disaster survivors. 

This new effort will promote an ethos of national service and civic engagement by mobilizing corps members and community volunteers to provide critical disaster services. Once trained by FEMA and, CNCS,  members will provide support in areas ranging from Community Relations to Disaster Recovery Centers . The first members will begin serving in September 2012 and the program will reach full capacity within 18 months.

To learn more about FEMA Corps please see the AmeriCorps website http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/nccc.asp or FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov.

Google Maps, Warning Alerts about Emergency Situations

Whether you're unaware that an earthquake warning has been issued for the area you are visiting later or whether you desperately need more information about the hurricane headed your way, Google Maps should be able to help! Why? Because the popular mapping service now incorporates emergency alerts from several public safety organizations.
http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/26/10241717-google-maps-will-now-warn-you-about-emergency-situations
If you'd rather see all active alerts in one spot instead, you can do so on the main Google Public Alerts page.

My Safety, My Responsibility, My Plan - serving those with Cognitive disAbilities

My Safety, My Responsibility, My Plan
http://www.wihd.org/EmergencyPreparedness/index.


My Safety, My Responsibility, My Plan is an emergency preparedness program aimed at helping individuals with intellectual disabilities to become more independent in their homes. Knowing what to do in an emergency fosters self-determination. Individuals learn about different types of emergency situations and how to be prepared.  My Safety, My Responsibility, My Plan uses a step-by-step approach to creating a Personal Emergency Plan. The program includes a full curriculum, a trainer’s manual, and an exciting new web version with 8 informative and interactive videos. A supplemental Family Guide on Emergency Preparedness provides steps for individuals with disabilities living with their families to create a Family Emergency Plan together. The project was developed at the Westchester Institute for Human Development, Valhalla, NY.

FEMA February 17th Think Tank Conference Call

Please join FEMA’s Deputy Administrator Richard Serino as he hosts the next FEMA Think Tank conference call on February 17th from San Francisco, CA.
Friday, February 17, 2012
1:00 pm – 3:00 P.M. Eastern (10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Pacific)          
Call in number: 1-800-369-1986 
Passcode: Think Tank February  
Individuals who would like to access the captioning for this event may do so by following the link below: http://fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1904972&CustomerID=321  
The focus of this month’s Think Tank conference call will be the use of technology and social media in emergency management. The two specific topics that will be discussed on the call are:
1.      How to communicate with disaster survivors and distribute information to mass audiences if cellular and on-line communications are unavailable immediately following a catastrophic disaster. In particular, we will discuss how existing communications tools, such as amateur (ham) radio operators, can be leveraged and linked to other forms of mass communications following a disaster. We’d also like to hear your ideas on how we can ensure these communications are accessible to the whole community.  
2.      How mobile applications can help emergency managers and individuals prepare for, respond to, and quickly recover from disasters. We will talk about two specific ideas for mobile apps that were submitted to the online forum, and then open the discussion to other ideas for apps related to emergency management and preparedness.

What's your State's "Awareness" week?

Wondering about good opportunities to increase awareness among people with disabilities on weather related emergencies and how to prepare?
Consider using an "awareness" week for these activities - find your state's scheduled 'week" at:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/severewxcal.shtml