Tim O’Malley M.Ed., R.N.
Community Health Liaison
216.931.7452
omalley.timothy@CuyahogaBDD.org
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Disaster Prep and Individuals with DD
Overview of the Cuyahoga County Board of
Developmental Disabilities
Disaster Planning
Sheltering and Evacuation Considerations
Community Resources
Future Directions
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The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic and Hurricane
Katrina highlighted the importance of communities
being prepared for potential threats and the
consequences that occur when a community is ill
prepared.
Consumers with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities are subject to the same
issues as all of us.
Recommendations for preventive health care are the
same for individuals with Intellectual Developmental
Disability (IDD) as they are for all of us.
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In 1968, the influenza pandemic killed more
than 700,00 people worldwide, and estimated
34,000 of those in the United States.
The Pandemic of 1918 killed more than 50
million people worldwide and an estimated
675,000 people in the U.S.
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Public health experts worldwide continue to
watch and make plans to deal with the
potential of a pandemic in the form of avian
flu.
While no current pandemic exists, the
potential for one exists. Person-to-person
spread causing serious illness, sweeping
across the country and world in a very short
time.
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Cuyahoga County is vulnerable to many
hazards, all of which have the potential to
disrupt the community, cause damage and
create mass casualties.
The jurisdictions within Cuyahoga County
have robust response and recovery
capabilities.
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Floods
Tornado/High
Winds
Utility Failure
Earthquake
Civil Disorder
Infectious Disease
Outbreak
Hazardous
Materials Spill
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Nuclear Power
Incident
Drought
Power Failure
Cyber Attack
Winter Storm
Temperature
Extremes
(CBRNE)
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Level 5 (Local
Resources)
Level 1 (Local,
County, Regional,
State and Federal
Resources)
Level 2 (Local,
County, Regional &
State Resources)
Level 4 (Local &
County Resources)
Level 3 (Local,
County & Regional
Resources)
Cuyahoga County,
in cooperation with
state and federal
agencies, has
established
emergency action
levels that describe
a progressive order
of escalation for
managing an
emergency.
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A common problem emerging from 9/11 and
the Katrina disasters is that there is little
available empirical data on the safe and
efficient evacuation of persons with
disabilities in an emergency. In times of a
disaster or possible terrorist attack,
emergency plans often place persons with a
disability at risk for bad outcomes.
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Cuyahoga County serves a large number of
consumers with IDD (9000 individuals).
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Individuals have varying levels of intellectual
and physical capabilities
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Variety of living environments, some are with
family, paid providers, nursing homes, group
homes and some live independently within
the community.
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Emergency response systems and emergency
preparedness plans are, for the most part,
designed for persons where escape or rescue
involves walking, running, driving, seeing,
hearing and quickly responding to directions.
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In Cuyahoga County and its 6 adjoining
counties (Lorain, Lake, Medina, Geauga,
Summit, Portage) it is estimated that 286.757
individuals 5 years of age and older have at
least one disability.
The data above underline the importance to
consider persons with a disability when
developing emergency evacuation plans.
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Disasters differ in character by magnitude,
severity, duration, onset, area affected and
frequency.
A disaster may impact multiple jurisdictions
within Cuyahoga County with casualties,
property loss, disruption of normal services
and damage to economic, physical and social
infrastructures.
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Disaster events will be managed
independently until multiple response
agencies become essential or resources are
exhausted.
Effective disaster preparedness requires
ongoing public awareness and education to
ensure citizens will take appropriate action.
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Within the emergency management field the
term S/N “special needs” is defined in a
multiple ways. Often important segments of
the diverse group are overlooked. (i.e. people
with hidden disabilities, people with serious
mental illness, people with intellectual and
cognitive disabilities, people with a variety of
visual, hearing and mobility limitations.
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According to The U.S. Department of
Homeland Security, people with functional
needs may have difficulty maintaining
independence, understanding
communication, arranging transportation,
and keeping adequate supervision or medical
care. Under this definition, a significant
portion of Cuyahoga County citizens have
functional needs.
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Have the authority and/or capability to
support the primary agency in accomplishing
the Emergency Support Function, (ESF)
mission and tasks. Board of DD is considered
a Support Agency.
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Also called a service coordinator or case
manager – works with individuals and
providers of services. For families who have a
member with a disability, the SA should
provide the family with the resources and
support the family needs that are essential to
their well-being as well as monitor progress.
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Single point of accountability and knowledge
of the individual’s needs and their family’s
circumstances
Offer solutions to complex issues
Resource regarding background information,
social and medical issues that will impact care
during an emergency
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Those with disabilities or other special needs
often have unique needs that require more
detailed planning in the event of a disaster.
Learn what to do in case of power outages
and personal injuries. Know how to connect
and start a back-up power supply for
essential medical equipment.
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Self- responsibility
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Shared responsibility
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First responder actions/considerations
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Develop a backup plan. Inform caregivers,
friends, family, neighbors or others who
might be able to help during an emergency.
Stock up on food, water, and any necessary
prescription medications, medical supplies or
equipment. Have enough to last at least one
week.
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Make a list of emergency contact information
and keep it handy.
Keep a charged battery at home. It can power
electric wheelchairs and other motorized
medical equipment if there is an electricity
outage.
Learn about alternate transportation routes.
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Understand the responsibilities and
limitations of a “first responder” (for example,
members of your local fire department or law
enforcement office) during an emergency.
Critical employee families have different
needs during an emergency than other
families. At least one of the family’s primary
caregivers will be away.
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If you use a personal care attendant obtained
from an agency, check to see if the agency
has special provisions for emergencies (e.g.,
providing services at another location should
an evacuation be ordered).
If you live in an apartment, ask the
management to identify and mark accessible
exits and access to shelters.
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Get to know your local community and the
make-up of the population.
State of Ohio has 88 counties, each with a
Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Reach out and visit and get to know the staff
and consumers. Introduce yourself!
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E-mail relating stories in the aftermath of
Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas. From the
perspective of an MD who operates a special
needs clinic in Houston, Texas.
Realistically – What can and cannot be done
to assist is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
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www.CuyahogaBDD.org
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Links to other Board of DD websites
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General Disability information
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Local Resources and Contacts
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Emergencies during normal work hours (8:00
am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday, except
holidays) (216.241.8230)
After-hours on-call (AHOC) system for those
seeking assistance in case of a crisis or
emergency. (Monday – Friday 4:30 pm – 8:00
am, all day Saturday/Sunday and Holidays)
(216.694.7077)
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Board of DD is currently working with the Red
Cross on the development of procedures for
“Sheltering”
Provide education to our consumers about
preparing for emergencies Shelter-In-Place, Ready Now, Go Bags
Ready When the Time Comes and
Just in Time Training
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Readiness Checklist: Emergency Plan for
Home (Blue)
Shelter Checklist: Be Prepared to Go to a
Shelter (Green)
Yellow Checklist: Important People and
Papers (Yellow)
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Emergency management has three phases;
planning, response and recovery.
People with disabilities have the right to
participate in all phases, in planning for,
responding to, and recovery from
emergencies.
You have responsibility in planning ahead for
an emergency because you and the people
who assist you know your needs.
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“Making Community Emergency Preparedness
and Response Programs Accessible to People
with Disabilities”
U.S. Department of Justice – Civil Rights
Division, Disability Rights Section
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If you use an electric wheelchair or scooter,
have a manual wheelchair for backup.
Teach those who may need to assist you in an
emergency how to operate necessary
equipment.
Store backup equipment at your neighbor’s
home, school or your workplace.
Have a back-up plan
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The following are examples of innovative and
promising practices/programs geared
towards addressing gaps in emergency
management and planning for at-risk
individuals.
Examples taken from National Council on
Disability’s (NCD) “Effective Emergency
Management: Making Improvements for
Communities & People with Disabilities”
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Special Needs Tool Kit for pandemic flu and
mapping. The tool kit provides detailed
instructions on how to assess the needs of
the elderly, people with disabilities, nonEnglish-speaking people and people living in
congregate settings.
Kansas Association of Local Health
Departments (2007)
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Course “Ready, Willing and Able”
Created online course to train hospital staff,
health care workers, emergency personnel,
Medical Reserve Corps and other workers to
assist people with disabilities during disaster
events.
Other Disability courses are also available
online at: www.train.org
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Registries have emerged as a possible means
to identify and conduct planning for citizens
with needs for transportation, evacuation and
other kinds of assistance.
2008 New Jersey’s Office of Emergency
management launched a “Register Ready”
effort to sign up people with disabilities who
may need help during an emergency.
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Dedicated “Special Needs” Shelters
A place where medical, behavioral and social
considerations can receive appropriate
attention.
Maintain same goals of safety, shelter and
early reunification
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Able to accommodate individual with
disability and their caregiver
Plan for specific resources and training of
volunteer staff
Quiet space addressing specific needs,
mobility, feeding, transfers, toileting/bathing
and communication needs
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In an emergency, could this individual remain
in their residence up to 72 hours?
Is the individual “LIFE DEPENDENT” on
electricity?
Has the Power Company and Fire Department
been notified in the event of an emergency?
Is there a back-up generator for
ventilator/oxygen dependent individual?
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Is there a visible sign on the door or in a
window indicating there is oxygen in the
home?
If the patient is tube fed, has the caregiver
been instructed on gravity tube feeds?
Current list of medications with ready access?
Building management aware of people with
disabilities that might prioritize care in the
event of an emergency?
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Health and Human Service Information
Cuyahoga County “Call 211”
Ashtabula: 440.997.5957
Geauga: 440.285.3194
Lake: 440.953.5465
Lorain: 800.275.6106
Medina: 888.330.4211
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The church staff and congregation can learn
how to deal with special needs emergencies
on the church campus.
Church can develop a way of emergency
communication with persons who must
shelter-in-place.
Church can assist parents of children, youth
or adults with special needs to prepare for a
community emergency.
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An ADA Guide for Local Governments –
Making Community Emergency Programs
Accessible to People with Disabilities
 www.ada.gov/emergencypreguide.htm
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Conference on Emergency Preparedness for
People with Disabilities
 www.nod.org
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NOD’s Emergency Preparedness Initiative
Guide
 www.nod.org
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Questions
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Suggestions/Comments
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Opportunities for Improvement/Collaboration