AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

2005 CRS "Dear Provider/Administrator" Letters

October 20, 2005

ADSA: CCRSS #2005-006
Emergency Preparedness

Dear Service Provider/Administrator:

Based on some of the lessons that have been learned in light of the recent devastation linked to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, please consider reviewing and updating your emergency preparedness plans.

Important considerations include:

• A careful analysis of the types of emergencies you are most likely to experience.  Most people living in Washington are at risk for earthquakes, structure fires and weather-related events such as loss of power, heat and communication.  Consider further, are your clients’ homes at risk for:
  • Floods
• Wild fires
• Tsunamis
• Volcanic eruptions or mud flows
• Hazardous material spills from highways or railroads
• Terrorist attacks
• Other potential emergencies related to your specific location, such as proximity to a chemical plant or nuclear reactor, or potential landslides, etc.
• Based on their support needs, your plans to evacuate clients served by your program. As part of this planning, considering the likelihood that your evacuation transportation, routes and alternate locations will be available in the event of an emergency.
• Based on their support needs, your plans to sustain and support clients for an extended period until outside help can provide assistance if evacuation is not appropriate or possible. This would include provisions for food, water, shelter and warmth, medications, sanitation and staffing for care and services, for a minimum of three days.
• What emergency preparedness information and support have been provided to your staff for their personal households?  If your staff are not personally prepared and are trying to address the needs of their own families, they may not be available to help implement your program’s emergency plans.
• Contacting your Division of Developmental Disabilities regional office to discuss their emergency plan and how it relates to your agency.
• Working with the appropriate emergency management office and emergency response community in your county or city to discuss specific plans for the individuals you serve.

There are a number of information resources available to assist you with your emergency preparedness plans.  Websites include:

Emergency Management Division – 2005 Disaster Preparedness Campaign
http://emd.wa.gov/5-prog/prgms/pubed/05-campaign/05-campaign-idx.htm

American Red Cross – Disaster Planning 
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_601_,00.html

American Red Cross - Disaster Services
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_500_,00.html

FEMA – Citizen Preparedness
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/

FEMA Library
http://www.fema.gov/library/

Certified Residential Programs have state regulatory requirements to be prepared for emergencies.  These regulations can be found in:

3. WAC 388-101-1610:  What type of administrative documents are service providers required to have? 
   Service providers must have health and safety policies and procedures including:
   2. Plans for responding to missing persons; client emergencies, including access to medical, mental health, and law enforcement resources; and natural or other disasters; and
   3. Notification of client's guardian and/or relatives in case of emergency.

Please contact your state and local emergency management officials and the local emergency response community for questions about your program’s specific emergency plan.

Sincerely,

Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services