This document discusses emergency planning for at-risk groups and how organizations can get involved. It identifies groups that are at higher risk, such as the elderly, children, disabled, and economically disadvantaged. It emphasizes the importance of personal, organizational, and community preparedness. Organizations are encouraged to develop continuity of operations plans to continue serving clients during emergencies. They can also get involved through initiatives like a Special Needs Advisory Panel to provide input on emergency plans and ensure the needs of at-risk groups are addressed.

1. Emergency Planning for
At-Risk Groups
How your agency can be
involved

2. Outline
Importance of planning for at-risk groups
Personal preparedness
Organizational preparedness
Community and county preparedness
– How your organization can be involved

4. Who is at Risk
During an Emergency?
Anyone with increased risk of severe
disaster-related consequences
– Economic disadvantage
– Absence of a support network
– Needing support to be independent in daily
activities
– Difficulty reading, speaking, or understanding
English

5. Esther
– 89 years old
– Lives alone
– Has no car, family lives out of state
– History of heart disease
Laura
– 5 years old
– Parents are undocumented
immigrants
James
– 35 years old
– Blind
– Lives with fiancée

8. Hurricane
Katrina - 2005
• 73% of Hurricane Katrina-related deaths in New
Orleans area were among persons age 60 and
over, although they comprised only 15 percent of
the population in New Orleans
• Most had medical conditions and functional or
sensory disabilities that made them more
vulnerable
AARP, We Can Do Better: Lessons Learned for Protecting Older Persons in Disasters, 2006

9. Issues Facing At-Risk Groups
Maintaining independence
Communication
Transportation
Supervision
Medical care

10. Emergency Preparedness
County, State, &
National Preparedness
Community
Preparedness
Organizational
Preparedness
Personal Preparedness

11. Personal
Preparedness
What Can You Do?

12. Who Needs to be Prepared?
You
Your family
Employees at your organization
People served by your organization

13. Personal Preparedness
Think ahead…make an emergency plan
– Evacuation from your home
– Communication during emergency
– Plans for pets
Make an emergency kit
– Does not need to be complicated or expensive
Stay informed
– Local emergency plans and services
Get involved
– Know your neighbors and check on those at-risk
– Join Community Emergency Response Teams

14. Personal Preparedness for
At-Risk Individuals
Learn basic homecare skills
Work with providers and social support networks to
develop contingency plans for an emergency
Develop food and fluid supply lists for special dietary
needs
Carry a wallet card with a list of medications
Maintain food and supplies for the health and well-
being of service animals and pets

15. Organizational
Preparedness
Is Your Organization Ready?

16. Preparing your Organization
Make an emergency plan
Encourage personal
preparedness for
employees and clients
Determine how to continue
services during an
emergency

17. Continuity of Operations
Planning (COOP)
Making sure your organization can
continue to operate during an emergency
– Under stressful conditions
– With fewer staff and other resources
– With increased demand for services

18. COOP Objectives
Ensure safety of employees
Ensure continuous performance of
essential operations
Protect essential equipment, records, and
other assets
Reduce disruption of operations
Minimize damage and losses
Achieve a timely and orderly recovery

19. Ensuring Safety
Shelter in Place
– Safe area
– Food and water
Evacuation
– “Go Kits”
– Transportation
– Destination

20. Continuing Essential Operations
Prioritize key functions
Identify minimum staff, equipment, and
procedures necessary to operate
Plan what to do if your building is not
available
Plan for payroll continuity
Train people for emergency functions
Create/update contact list

21. Community &
County
Preparedness
How Can Your Organization Get Involved?

22. [COUNTY NAME] County Special
Needs Advisory Panel (SNAP)
A small advisory group of [social service
providers] representing various at-risk
populations.

23. SNAP Purpose
To ensure that the concerns and needs of
[older adults, persons with disabilities,
persons who are economically
disadvantaged, and/or persons with
limited English proficiency] are
appropriately considered and addressed
in public health emergency planning and
response in [COUNTY NAME] County.

24. SNAP Activities
Provide information and guidance to [LOCAL
HEALTH DEPARTMENT &/OR EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT] about how to plan for and
communicate with at-risk populations before,
during, and after emergencies
Provide feedback on creating a Community
Communications Network to share messages
with agencies serving at-risk populations

25. Why get involved?
You know the people your organization
serves
You are in a unique position to advocate
for them
Planning before an emergency can save
lives, reduce illness and injury, and speed
recovery
Doing something NOW is better than
hoping for assistance during an
emergency

26. What are the benefits?
You can:
Identify strategies that empower at-risk
individuals to prepare for emergencies
Share ideas and resources with other
agencies
Reduce duplication of efforts across
agencies
Influence public policy

27. SNAP Meetings
[DATE]
[TIME]
[LOCATION]
Come with ideas!

28. Contact Us!
YOUR CONTACT INFO
[NAME]
[TITLE]
[EMAIL ADDRESS]
[PHONE NUMBER]

29. Tools Available for COOP
NC Division of Public Health COOP
Template
http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/pandemic/AppendixS1_2007.pdf
Nursing homes
www.hsem.state.mn.us/uploadedfile/COOP_Service_Continuation_
Planning.ppt
Agencies serving vulnerable populations
http://www.smhealth.org/vgn/images/portal/cit_609/19/7/898775681vulner

30. Resources
CARD. Prepare Your Business to Prosper!
9 Small Steps that Reap Huge Rewards.
http://www.cardcanhelp.org/downloads/Busine
. Accessed April 14, 2009.