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CERT Conference March 2, 2013 K athryn A. Gerk, Richmond Fire CERT

How to Improve your CERT Program by Incorporating Seniors and People with Access and Functional Needs. CERT Conference March 2, 2013 K athryn A. Gerk, Richmond Fire CERT James Caesar, UCSB/Isla Vista CERT and Yolanda McGlinchey, Santa Barbara CERT. Tips for Full Inclusion. Introductions.

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CERT Conference March 2, 2013 K athryn A. Gerk, Richmond Fire CERT

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  1. How to Improve your CERT Program by Incorporating Seniors and People with Access and Functional Needs CERT Conference March 2, 2013 Kathryn A. Gerk, Richmond Fire CERT James Caesar, UCSB/Isla Vista CERT and Yolanda McGlinchey, Santa Barbara CERT Tips for Full Inclusion CERT Conference March 2, 2013

  2. Introductions • Kathryn Gerk, Richmond Fire CERT • James Caesar, UCSB/Isla Vista CERT • Yolanda McGlinchey, Santa Barbara City Fire - CERT

  3. Welcome…. • Your Name • Your Jurisdiction • Do you know what AFN is • Have you incorporated AFN in your CERT program? How or why not…

  4. Audience • Your Goals for this workshop? • Your level of CERT incorporation of Seniors and People with Access and Functional Needs?

  5. What we will cover; • Basic ADA issues and full inclusion for CERT Programs • Challenges and best practices for incorporating Seniors and PAFN • The Good, the Bad and The Misunderstood!

  6. Basic ADA Issues and CERT Considerations • Accessible Curriculum – Print • Accessible Training • Accessible Facilities • Always consider your audience

  7. Basic ADA Issues and CERT – Curriculum Print • Accessible CERT Workbooks • Braille • English • Spanish • Large print • Others

  8. Basic ADA Issues and CERT - Training • Accessibility to ALL • Always identify your audience • At or BEFORE registration if possible • Do you have any special requirements

  9. Basic ADA Issues and CERT – Training/Drills • ALWAYS Safety First – work with student – ask what they feel comfortable with and what they need • Consider CERT Workgroups bring Persons with Disabilities to table – include them in planning

  10. Basic ADA Issues and CERT - Facilities • Be Prepared - know your audience • SAFETY FIRST • Accessibility • Mobility issues • Lighting • Audio

  11. Tips and Best Practices • Always treat everyone with respect • Seniors & PAFN = over 30% population and growing • Include them in your planning • “Nothing about us without us”

  12. 1. Assessment • 5. Review & Revise Actions • 2. Build Work Groups • 4. Collaboratively Address the Action Items – Training & Drills • 3. Develop Action Items Continuous Improvement

  13. Total Inclusion • FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate • FULL Inclusion • Planning • Training • Communications • Transportation • Response and Recovery

  14. Lessons Learned from Past Disasters • Hurricane Katrina • People left behind • Unprepared and unable to fend for self • Poor communications ability • Disconnected from the community Superdome – Photograph Courtesy – Alison Wright

  15. Hurricane Sandy

  16. How can CERT help? • Buddy System in the Neighborhood • CERT Training for all – Empower all • More Resilient Neighborhoods

  17. CERT Training for ALL • Instructors • Planning • Drills - include them in planning drills • CERT Job for everyone • From Incident Commander to Scribe

  18. CERT Buddy System CERT’s Pair up with Seniors and PAFN in neighborhood – • Strengthens everyone's ability to survive the next disaster • Strengthens the neighborhood • Speeds up recovery efforts

  19. Disability vs. Ability • Mobility • Communication • Hearing • Sight • Resilient • Know the community • Eyes & ears of neighborhood • Experience with daily challenges

  20. Tips on How to Incorporate in CERT Training • Work with Independent Living Resource Agencies • Develop relationships with Visiting Nurses Associations • Work with your local Operational Area and American Red Cross • Learn your district – Develop Relationships

  21. The Good, The Bad and The Misunderstood • The Good – Everyone can have a position on a team

  22. The Good, The Bad and The Misunderstood • The Bad Don’t try and change the program because of the need, keep the program the same to assist with the need City Manager's Office Preasentation 12/11/12

  23. The Good, The Bad and The Misunderstood • Misunderstood People with AFN can’t do CERT City Manager's Office Preasentation 12/11/12

  24. Tips on How to Incorporate in CERT Exercises • Add them to your CERT Planning Team • Get them involved in creating the scenario

  25. Best Practices on how to incorporate • Network • Network • Network…

  26. Questions and Fears around full inclusion? • Liability • Disaster Service Worker criteria • Misunderstanding around AFN

  27. Best Practices • Independent Living Resource Center Drill • Santa Barbara County All CERT Drill in Lompoc, CA

  28. Lessons Learned • Everyone can play a part • Knowing the limits of all your players • Understanding the facilities you are working and teaching in • Treat everyone as if there are no limits

  29. Best Practices for Communicating • Yes and No questions • Paper and pen • Charts/pictograms – point to . . . • Pre printed forms – what is your name, what happened . . . .

  30. 1. Speak directly to them • 2. Always identify yourself to someone with a visual impairment • 3. Treat adults as adults • 4. If you offer assistance listen for the answer • 5. Place yourself at eye level when speaking • 6. Tap a person with hearing disability on shoulder to get attention 10 Commandments for Communicating with PWD

  31. Best Practices for Communicating Deaf • Learn ASL (American Sign Language) • Pictograms • Charts • Pencil and Paper • Tap on shoulder • Flash a light

  32. Above and Beyond • Get Informed • Make a Plan • Build a Kit • Share it with family, neighborhood CERT • Buddy System = Strong resilient neighborhoods

  33. We are all in this together • Right thing to do • Right time • For the Good of the whole community

  34. QUESTIONS?Thank You • Working together increases everyone's chances for survival

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