Emergency Preparedness: Lessons from 911

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Emergency Preparedness Lessons from 9/11

• National Aging IR/A Symposium/
• Alliance of Information and Referral Systems
  Annual Conference
• Robert F. OConnell
• Administration on Aging

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Lessons from 9/11

• Aging Network
• What happened on 9/11
• Lessons Learned
• I R Systems Roles

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Aging Network

• Older Americans Act of 1965, Amended
• Administration on Aging
• State Units on Aging 56
• Area Agencies on Aging 655
• Tribal Organizations 233
• Provider Agencies 29,000
• Older Volunteers 500,000

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Experiences 9/11 and on

• View from a Window
• initial thoughts
• Fear and Safety
• evacuation
• Communications Non-Existent
• land lines/cell
• electrical power

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Experiences

• Access to Frozen Zone
• Blockades No Credentials
• Providers to sites clients
• Vendors to stores
• Transportation at standstill
• Frustration
• Improvise

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Experiences

• Older Persons
• Electricity out telephones, TV, Radio,
  elevators, a/c, water
• Access to food, water, Rx drugs, medical appt.
• Personal care, HDM limited at best
• Fear, anxiety, grief not just those in zone

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Lessons Learned

• Plan Ahead - Systems Approach
• City/County/State Emergency Management (EM)
  Officials
• Role During and in Recovery
• Contacting Key Players
• Reaching people when out of office
• EM officials/staff/contractors

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Lessons Learned

• Credentials to ensure access
• Rosters of Vulnerable
• Location and contact information
• Multiple Forms/Locations
• Mental Health
• Grief over loss, fear, anxiety
• Need for Talk

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Lessons Learned

• Communications Systems
• Laptop/Disc/Hard Copy
• Handheld computers/Cell/2-way radio
• Nutrition
• Shelf stable
• Alternate Prep Sites/Generators
• Feeding Others

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Lessons Learned

• Training
• Procedures/Manuals
• Drill
• PLAN AHEAD!!!

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I R/A Systems Roles

• Plan Ahead
• Clarify POTENTIAL Role/Scope
• Establish Links w/ Emergency Management
  Offices (EMO) et al
• Re-examine Y2K plan
• Determine specific role(s)

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I R/A Systems Roles

• Enhanced Outreach
• Vulnerable/Isolated Outside Service System e.g.,
  utility non-shut-off customers
• Public Educationbefore/during/after
• On-site assistance
• Bolster resource library on EMO
  shelters/food, FEMA benefits/ supports, etc.

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I R/A Systems Roles

• GIS Mapping
• Locus of most vulnerable, at risk
• Tap existing rosters of HDM, personal care,
  blind, deaf, mobility limited, etc.
• Singular map to all partners

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I R/A Systems Roles

• Clearinghouse for Volunteers
• Many want to help
• Indigenous Groups
• Dont know where to turn!
• Consortia of org. likely to use vol./roles
• Match them!

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I R/A Systems Roles

• FLEXIBILITY
• You dont know what you dont know
• Role varies based on nature of disaster
• Core role communication

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Resources

• www.aoa.gov/eldfam/disaster
• www.cscs-ny.org/publications
• Emergency Preparedness Guide for NYC Aging
  Services Providers
• www.ilcusa.org/pub/briefs
• Emergency Preparedness for Older People