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Emergency Preparedness and Response

 

Announcing the REDDy Directory! The REDDy Directory is designed for case managers and individuals with disabilities seeking resources and services provided to Hurricane Harvey survivors. Please visit the REDDy Directory at http://disabilityresources.tamu.edu/

The REDDy Directory is a collaboration between the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University, the Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas Austin, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, and the Administration for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

 
 

Hurricane Response: Harvey & Irma

 

7/19/2018

HRSA Issues Hurricane Resources for Children with Special Health Care Needs

In collaboration with the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, HRSA has developed a collection of resources informing hurricane response and recovery for families, organizations, and clinicians caring for children with special health care needs.

 
 

10/27/2017

CDC Health Alert Network Health Advisory: Advice for Health Care Providers Treating Patients in or Recently Returned from Hurricane-Affected Areas, Including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with federal, state, territorial, and local agencies and global health partners in response to recent hurricanes. CDC is aware of media reports and anecdotal accounts of various infectious diseases in hurricane-affected areas, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (USVI). Because of compromised drinking water and decreased access to safe water, food, and shelter, the conditions for outbreaks of infectious diseases exist.

 
 

10/9/2017

FCC - Communications Status Report for Areas Impacted by Hurricane Maria

Website  from http://bit.ly

This report incorporates network outage data submitted by communications providers to the Federal Communications Commission's Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). DIRS is currently activated for all counties in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 
 

9/11/2017

CMS Emergency Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies for Medicare Beneficiaries Impacted by Hurricane Harvey

Website  from http://bit.ly

This guidance is for Medicare beneficiaries and suppliers who need additional information and assistance during Hurricane Harvey. If you live in Texas or Louisiana, the usual rules for your medical care may change for a short time

 
 

9/11/2017

CMS Guidance for Harvey DME Providers

As a result of Hurricane Harvey, CMS has determined it is appropriate to issue a blanket waiver to suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) where DMEPOS is lost, destroyed, irreparably damaged, or otherwise rendered unusable.

 
 

9/7/2017

CMS Continues Helping Texas and Louisiana with Hurricane Harvey Recovery

Website  from http://go.cms.gov
Agency helps impacted beneficiaries with replacement of medical equipment and supplies

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma today announced new guidance to support people who are impacted by the loss of their durable medical equipment and supplies due to Hurricane Harvey. The ongoing response from CMS is focused on helping Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, providers, facilities and the general public with their immediate needs and ensuring access to healthcare services and resources are not interrupted throughout the recovery.

 
 

9/7/2017

Getting Ready for Hurricane Irma

Hurricane warnings have been issued for Hurricane Irma in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared an emergency in advance of the storm. If you or your loved ones are in the path of the storm, find out what you can do before, during and after the hurricane to stay healthy

 
 

9/7/2017

No Time to Rest from One Hurricane, HHS Helps Prepare for Another: Hurricane Irma

Anticipating significant destruction, pounding winds and flooding from Hurricane Irma as the category 5 hurricane approaches U.S. territories and states, the Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and pre-positioned medical support personnel near potentially impacted areas. HHS has also alerted additional medical and public health teams to be ready to deploy where needed.

 
 

8/31/2017

Fema Hurricane Harvey Response

This is the Hurricane Harvey resource page. Please look at this page for up-to-date information on the situation as it evolves.

 
 

8/30/2017

HHS Hurricane Harvey Response

OCR Identifies Practices and Resources for Emergency Responders/Officials to Help Ensure Individuals Have Equal Access to Emergency Services

 
 

8/29/2017

American Bar Association Pro Bono Legal Services - Hurricane Harvey Relief

Through the Disaster Legal Services Program, the ABA Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provide immediate temporary legal assistance to disaster survivors at no charge.

 
 

8/28/2017

Harvey Response - Portlight Strategies and the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies

Website  from http://www.portlight.org

Portlight Strategies and the Partnership are providing technical assistance and guidance to prevent disaster survivors from being turned away from shelters, denied sign language interpreters, denied their civil rights, inappropriate institutionalization and experiencing many of the same issues as in past disasters.

 
 
 

Emergency Response Resources

  • Inclusive Emergency Management Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

    Background on AUCD: -Interviews with Territories (Themes, Recommendations) -Panel Discussion

    pdf File Inclusive Emergency Management Preparedness, Response, and Recovery [download]
  • Inclusive Emergency Management Preparedness, Response, and Recovery White Paper

    In the spring of 2018, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) conducted telephone interviews with University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) in the US Territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands regarding emergency preparedness in the Territories, the impact disasters have on children and adults with disabilities, the individuals who serve these populations, and the role each center plays during and after a disaster. This white paper provides summarizes key learnings from recent disasters impacting specific Territories and policy recommendations for UCEDDs, as well as government leaders at the Federal, State, and Territorial levels.

    pdf File Inclusive Emergency Management Preparedness, Response, and Recovery [download]
  • Portlight - Inclusive Disaster Strategies
    Website  from http://www.portlight.org

    Portlight Strategies, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1997 to facilitate a variety of projects involving people with disabilities, including post-disaster relief work

  • FEMA: Tips for Effectively Communicating with the Whole Community in Disasters

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners remain in close coordination with state, local, and tribal governments to coordinate and provide resources as needed in connection with preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation associated with Hurricane Harvey impacting Texas and Louisiana. The following practices regarding effective communication can help jurisdictions meet their obligations to carry out their disaster related activities in a non-discriminatory

  • Effective Communications Tool Kit

    This toolkit applies to emergency management and public information professionals who work for or with local jurisdictions to communicate warnings, notifications, and other messages to news media and to the public. It also contains face-to-face operational communication tools for shelter managers and first responders.

  • Guidance to State and Local Governments and Other Federally Assisted Recipients Engaged in Emergency Preparedness, Response, Mitigation, and Recovery Activities on Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

    Guidance to State and Local Governments and Other Federally Assisted Recipients. Engaged in Emergency Preparedness, Response, Mitigation, and Recovery Activities on. Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ... how recipients of federal financial assistance engaged in emergency management activities.

  • Disability Resources from FEMA

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a collection of resources focusing on disability and accessible emergency management.

  • BCFS Health and Human Services' Emergency Management Division

    A non-profit partner of federal, state and local government and private industry, specializing in emergency management, incident management, disaster response, public health & medical emergency response, mass care, mass fatality planning, medical sheltering and planning for vulnerable populations.

  • Katrina: A Story of Survival and Papa Joe's New Community (MN UCEDD)

    This Impact issue addresses that need for greater inclusion of people with disabilities in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts by providing strategies, stories, and resources that we hope will be of use to disability service providers, advocates, individuals with disabilities, families, and policymakers.

  • National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

    National VOAD, an association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters, provides a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster.

  • You Know that it's Got to be Dedication that I am Still Here. (MT UCEDD)
    The Experiences of Direct Support Professionals during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and Aftermath

    A report describing the experiences of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who worked in New Orleans between August 2005 and May 2006 - before, during, and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In 2006, the University of Minnesota was asked to conduct a series of interviews and focus groups with staff from two programs of the Volunteers of America (VOA) of Greater New Orleans: Supported Living Services (offering family and semi-independent living supports to adults and children with disabilities) and Community Living Services (offering group homes for adults and children with developmental disabilities).

  • Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies
    Website  from http://www.disasterstrategies.org

    The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (PIDS) is a growing national coalition, assessing the current state of disaster planning across the country, and identifying ways disability community leaders can assertively engage with emergency management at every level.

  • Working with People with Disabilities- A Guide for Responders

    This 26-minuted training DVD produced in cooperation with the Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities is designed to help personnel from emergency medical services, fire, police and others work effectively and compassionately with persons with disabilities.

  • Accommodating People with Disabilities in Disasters: A Reference Guide to Federal Law (PDF)

    In August of 2007, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released a new reference guide outlining legal requirements and standards relating to access for people with disabilities. The guide is a first in a series of disability- related guidelines to be produced by FEMA for disaster preparedness, response planners, and service providers at all levels.

  • Tips for First Responders
    Website  from http://cdd.unm.edu

    The Tip Sheets For First Responders were developed in response to requests from first responders who wanted quick, easy-to-understand guidance on how to effectively work with people with a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities in emergency situations. Now in its fourth edition, the laminated, color-coded Tip Sheets are ring-bound so they can be hung from hooks in emergency vehicles, duty stations, school health offices, and taken into the field.

 
 

Emergency Preparedness Resources