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Preparation and Response for Elders, Disabled Adults, and Natural Disasters

Learn how to prepare for and respond to natural disasters to protect the safety and well-being of elders and disabled adults. Get tips on evacuation planning, emergency kits, special needs considerations, and more.

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Preparation and Response for Elders, Disabled Adults, and Natural Disasters

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  1. NC Department of Health and Human Services Elders, Disabled Adults and Natural Disasters Joseph M. Breen, MS Planning Section Chief-DAAS June 12, 2019

  2. Preparation • Preparation is key and can start long before a disaster strikes. • Some things we can do to prepare include: • Plan an evacuation – Know the route you need to take and your destination • Establish a communication plan • Prepare an emergency kit – At minimum the kit should include • Three day supply of non-perishable food • Three-day supply of water - one gallon of water per person, per day • Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries • Flashlight and extra batteries

  3. Preparation • First aid kit and manual • Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper) • Matches in a waterproof container • Extra clothing • Blankets • Basic kitchen accessories and cooking utensils • Cell phone with charger • Whistle • Extra set of car and house keys • Evac Bag Items • Maintain your Kit • Manual can opener • Multi-purpose tool • Photocopies of credit and identification cards • Cash • Special needs items, such as prescriptions medications, eye glasses, • Duplicate important documents i.e. drivers license, ss cards, passports, financial documents, insurance information, prescriptions

  4. Special Needs • Elders and people with disabilities must take additional precautions. • Does the homecare agency respond to emergencies? Who will provide backup if needed? • Consider durable equipment needs, i.e. wheelchairs, walkers, canes, breathing equipment, specially designed utensils. • Hearing impaired persons should keep extra batteries and store all equipment in a safe, dry place.

  5. READY NC.org • The ReadyNC mobile app is an all-in-one tool to help people get ready for everything from traffic jams to hurricanes and ice storms. The app gives information on real-time traffic and weather conditions, river levels, evacuations and power outages. • It works both for iPhone and Android phones. Download it today! For people living in or visiting North Carolina, this is an all-in-one FREE tool for emergency preparedness.

  6. Meanwhile – Pre-Storm • A disaster is considered immanent when the Division of Emergency Management is Activated • Levels of Activation • Level 5 - Normal Operation • Level 4 - An event that is within the capabilities of local government and may require minimal state assistance • Level 3- Any disaster or emergency that is likely to require state agency assistance • Level 2 - Any disaster that will require large scale state and possibly federal recovery assistance. • Level 1 – Any disaster that requires full involvement from all State Emergency Response Team (SERT) members

  7. Division of Aging and Adult Response • DAAS follows the lead of the EOC and DHHS SERT Managers • EOC usually will activate at a low level 72 hours prior to predicted landfall • At this point DAAS will reach out to AAA’s through out the state usually beginning with the areas predicted to be affected most • By 36 hours out we have good information regarding local planning and cancellations • By 24 hours out we will help finalize any plans and get a good sense of what the landscape will be when the storm hits

  8. Response • The final meal delivery is usually 24 hours approximately before landfall. • It is expected that other cancelations will occur right up to landfall. • Once the storm arrives the Division and its partners are shut down

  9. Post-Storm • Assessment conducted among AAA’s • Estimate of when services will return • Alternatives • Call-downs • Assist with shelter requests • Assist with medical shelter requests • Help AAA’s and individuals with supplies

  10. Next Steps • Some of the lessons learned • Housing • Housing • Housing • Back@Home • Post storm discussions • What worked, what didn’t.

  11. What’s Coming The Department of Health and Human Services is working with the State Emergency Operations Center, DHHS Divisions and local ERT’s reviewing protocol and creating a systems enhancement that will create specific assignments for state staff, streamline and organize communication and insure that shelter operations are prepared and staffed appropriately.

  12. THANK YOU Joseph M. Breen, MS Section Chief, DAAS 919-855-3435 joseph.breen@dhhs.nc.gov

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