Wireless RERC - emergency preparedness

Emergency Preparedness and Your Mobile Device

mz22 — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 14:41:35 +0000

Tips for Emergency Use of Mobile Devices

August 2015 - There are several steps to prepare your mobile device in case of an emergency. One of the most basic is making sure there are a set of emergency contacts easily accessible on your device. This means ensuring that your contacts are saved to the device and to the SIM card. Various apps are also available for an array of functions such as first aid information, emergency shelter locations, and geographical emergency alerts. It is also always a good idea to have power backup strategies in case a situation where the power goes out. All of these tips and more can be found in the 2015 edition of Tips for Emergency Use of Mobile Devices, by Disability Policy Consultant, June Isaacson Kailes. The publication provides guidelines for optimal use of your mobile device before, during and after an emergency. It covers emergency contacts, alerts, texting, documents, apps, power back-up charging options, bookmarks, “No Service” backup plans, skill drills and more.

Multilingual and Sign Language Disaster Training Library Offered Online

mz22 — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:53:18 +0000

Disaster Training

emergency preparedness

Just In Time Disaster Training Library Multilingual / Sign Language Search Engine

Disaster Resistant Community Group, a Florida based organization, has expanded their organization’s “Just In Time Disaster Training” video library to feature a wide array of video training, now available in eighteen spoken languages and two forms of sign language. “Just In Time Disaster Training” offers viewers over 1,800 videos from various sources, specifically related to disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery for individuals, families, organizations, and first responder personnel. American Sign Language and Australian Sign Language are offered, as well as the following spoken languages:

Arabic
Burmese
Cambodian
Cantonese
Chinese
English
French
Hindi
Krio
Korean
Mandarin
Pidgin
Russian
Somali
Spanish
Turkish
Urdu
Vietnamese

For more information about “Just In Time Disaster Training, or to search the database follow the link provided below.

White House Readies for America’s PrepareAthon

mz22 — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 18:34:50 +0000

emergency preparedness

America’s PrepareAthon

April 2014 – The White House is currently readying for FEMA’s PrepareAthon, which will take place on April 30, 2014. The nationwide campaign is a community-oriented call to “action to increase emergency preparedness and resilience.” The day will include “specific drills, group discussions and exercises focused on preparing Americans to respond to spring hazards such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.” With a long track record of working alongside the “Office of Disability Integration and Coordination,” FEMA is developing emergency-preparedness plans that take into account accessibility for people with disabilities. Through mandates, including The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act and Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, FEMA is required to account for people with disabilities during emergency planning. This PrepareAthon will be an excellent opportunity to experience firsthand FEMA’s preparedness in providing accessible assistance for people with disabilities during an emergency situation.

On Thin Ice – New Preparedness Initiative for People with Disabilities

mz22 — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:17:37 +0000

Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environements (GAATES)

emergency preparedness

GAATES On Thin Ice Details

March 2014 – Due to the increase in emergency and disaster concerns in the Arctic, Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES) has embarked on a new initiative to ensure the protection, security and inclusion of people with disabilities in that region. On Thin Ice, a project funded by the Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnership Program, aims to implement international best practices, effective communications, compliance with regulations, emergency preparedness, capacity to sustain life during an emergency, school participation in emergency management and more. Details regarding involvement and important dates can be found on their website.

FEMA Now Accepting Applications for National Advisory Council

mz22 — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:36:23 +0000

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

National Advisory Council

emergency preparedness

Emergency Communications

FEMA Press Release

February 2014 — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is now seeking applicants to serve on the National Advisory Council (NAC). The NAC, composed of 35 subject matter experts in the field of emergency management, provides direct council to the FEMA Administrator to ensure “effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation” for natural and technological disasters. The three-year positions are currently available for individuals in the following disciplines:

Disabilities
Emergency Management
Emergency Response
Non-Elected Local Government Officials
Elected Tribal Government Officials
Health Scientists
Communications
Infrastructure Protection
Standards Settings and Accrediting

Interested individuals are asked to submit a Cover Letter and Resume to the Office of National Advisory Council by March 14, 2014.

Court Rules that NYC Violated the ADA

mz22 — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 16:44:56 +0000

emergency preparedness

ADA Case: Opinion and Order

November 2013 — A recent ruling by the United States District Court found that New York City failed to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities when planning for and responding to disasters in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. While the court acknowledged the robustness of the City’s emergency preparedness plans, it also concluded that the City has not done enough to “provide people with disabilities meaningful access to its emergency preparedness program.” Specifically, the court highlighted that the plan does not include provisions for evacuating people with disabilities from multistory buildings, providing accessible evacuation transportation, ensuring that shelters are ADA accessible, ensuring that the needs of people with disabilities are met during power outages, or providing accessible communications for people with disabilities. Although the case only holds the City liable for their actions, the decision highlights the importance of accessibility during emergencies for people with disabilities within all communities.

Partnership to Expand Emergency Preparedness Outreach for Older Americans

mz22 — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 12:33:25 +0000

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

Aging

emergency preparedness

FEMA Press Release

August 2013 — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) announced that the two organizations will partner to ensure that older Americans have better access to service and resources for emergency preparedness, response and recovery. The new effort will include expanded “social media outreach, and training and exercise, and evaluation opportunities.” Although, AARP has historically implemented emergency preparedness and response programs, the organization hopes the partnership will expand their role in the community. Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator, noted that “this agreement today puts into writing what FEMA and AARP already do in practice. FEMA and AARP will continue to support communities and individuals to build, sustain and improve our capacity to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

Emergency Preparedness Checklist for People with Disabilities

blippincott4 — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:23:09 +0000

emergency preparedness

checklist

People with Disabilities

disaster

Emergency Preparedness Checklist for People with Disabilities

Recently published in the February 2013 issue of Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation published by the journal for the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM), this Emergency Preparedness Checklist for People with Disabilities Information and Education Page was created by Wireless RERC researcher, John Morris and Wireless RERC co-director, Mike Jones. The checklist is meant to aid people with disabilities in putting together an emergency plan and recommend essential items necessary to survive in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

Guidelines to Help You Prepare for Emergencies

mz22 — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:12:50 +0000

emergency preparedness

PDF of Publication

John Morris and Michael Jones of the Wireless RERC published a guide and checklist entitled Emergency Preparedness for People With Disabilities in the February issue of “Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.” The article provides guidelines for individuals with disabilities to follow when developing emergency plans in preparation for emergency situations and includes a checklist of items to include in emergency kits, such as a Ready Kit and a Go Bag. In addition, as stress is a common response in emergency situations, a list of the signs of stress an individual might feel in an emergency are provided to help individuals recognize and mitigate the symptoms.

Get Ready Gwinnett! Emergency Preparedness Resource Fair & Speaker Series

blippincott4 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:55:43 +0000

The Gwinnett Emergency Preparedness Committee is hosting and Emergency Preparedness Resource Fair and Speaker Series on Saturday, September 15, 2012, from 9:000am – 4:00pm at the Annandale Village in Suwanee, Georgia. The goal of the event is to improve the preparedness of, and provide resources to people with disabilities, the elderly and others with access and functional needs. To participate as a vendor and/or to attend send an e-mail to getreadygwinnett@gmail.com.

Additional Information:

Help Line: 770-955-3339

getreadygwinnett@gmail.com

Start Date:

Saturday, September 15, 2012 - 9:00am to 4:00pm

upcoming events

emergency preparedness

access and functional needs