Emergency Preparedness

3/7/08FEMA to take over Mass Care Role Formerly Held by Red Cross http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0308/030708kp1.htm

4/13/08Agency Is Under Pressure to Develop Disaster Housing
By LESLIE EATON
The government said it will no longer use travel trailers to house the victims of future disasters, but its effort to develop a replacement has not impressed housing experts.
Full story in the NYTimes

3/3/2008 Federal Workers' Compensation: Better Data and Management Strategies Would Strengthen Efforts to Prevent and Address Improper Payments GAO-08-284, February 26, 2008
Summary: http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.php?rptno=GAO-08-369
Full 65 page report in PDF: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08369.pdf

2/21/2008NYC's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is pleased to announce the results of the What if New York City. . . Design Competition for Post-Disaster Provisional Housing. All valid Submissions are presented below (http://www.whatifnyc.net/) and include the ten Winners and ten Honorable Mentions that were selected by the Jury on January 22, 2008. Access the Jury's full report online, and visit the What If NYC...Website for details on the Competition. OEM looks forward to reviewing the Winners' Submissions after the Project Development Period.

2/15/20008 Emergency Response/Preparedness
1. Red Cross/Crescent Engaging People with Disabilities in Planning.
2. Disaster Preparedness in High Rise Apartment Buildings
Full Notice here

1/14/2008On Tuesday and Wednesday, January 8 and 9, the National Organization on Disability hosted a national conference, dedicated to addressing the emergency preparedness needs of individuals with all types of disabilities. What follows are the prepared remarks of Justice Department representatives, discussing the issue on a panel entitled "ADA Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Justice on Sheltering for Mass Care." This information should be distributed far and wide via website postings, email, and message boards. As stakeholders put into practice the requirements set forth below, children and adults with disabilities will be better served in emergency preparedness situations.

ADA GUIDELINES FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ON SHELTERING FOR MASS CARE
Prepared Remarks of Olegario D. Cantos VII, Esq.
Prepared Remarks of Dov Lutzker, Esq.

VIDEOS TO HELP PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PREPARE FOR DISASTER

12/03/07 ACCOMMODATING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN DISASTERS: A REFERENCE GUIDE TO FEDERAL LAW
People with disabilities may need to make specific preparations for emergencies. A new Homeland Security video provides helpful information on how to do so. http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html
Summarizes equal access requirements for people with disabilities as they relate to disaster care, housing and human services. This guide explains how applicable Federal laws relate to government entities and non-government, private sector and religious organizations. The reference guide can be found at http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=38990

Transportation News & Events? Update:? Easter Seals Project ACTION's Distance Learning Seminar Series
This seminar will be held on January 23, 2008 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST. Presenters will discuss steps a transit agency can take to secure funding for new travel training programs. Easter Seals Project ACTION promotes cooperation between the transportation industry and the disability community to increase mobility for people with disabilities.

This information has recently been updated, and can be accessed by visiting the following link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=5010.

12/03/07 Emergency Preparedness:? People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs
ReadyAmerica.gov - http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html In order to encourage Americans to prepare themselves, their families and their communities, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with The Advertising Council, has sponsored public service advertisements (PSAs) that educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all kinds of emergencies. The Ready Campaign asks individuals to do three key things to prepare for the unexpected: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses. This section of the website includes helpful hints and resources, including a video and brochure on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.

12/0/03 http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=41710 FEMA & American Bar Association to Enhance Legal Services for Disaster Victims - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Bar Association (ABA), on behalf of its Young Lawyers Division (YLD), announced a new Memorandum of Agreement increasing the reach and array of legal services delivered to low-income victims of major disasters. Through this agreement, the YLD, when requested by FEMA, now has authority to coordinate and manage the delivery of legal services to disaster victims by collaborating with other qualified organizations, such as the Legal Services Corporation, law firms, not-for-profit legal services providers, state and local bar associations, and pro bono organizations.

8/26/07 http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=38990 Summarizes equal access requirements for people with disabilities as they relate to disaster care, housing and human services. This guide explains how applicable Federal laws relate to government entities and non-government, private sector and religious organizations. Complete FEMA Reference Guide

8/22/07 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Ready Campaign has released three new demonstration videos designed to highlight the specific steps older Americans, individuals with disabilities and special needs, and pet owners should take to prepare for emergencies. to vied the videos go to www.ready.gov

8/10/07 Fact Sheet on Immigrants' Eligibility for Disaster Assistance

The American Red Cross, has developed a fact sheet for immigrant families and organizations that assist them in times of disaster. The document provides the types of services offered to immigrants during disaster and how to seek assistance regardless of immigration status. Translated copies of the fact sheet are forthcoming and will be available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
PDF version of IE fact sheet  Text version of IEfact sheet

8/10/07 An ADA Guide for Local Governments
Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities

Assistance Programs for PWD's

6/20/07 NR063 NY Disaster Recovery and Preparedness Contact Information for Federal and State Sources

6/12/07NR 055 - 1692 DR-NY -
NEW YORKERS MAY STILL QUALIFY FOR REIMBURSEMENTS UNDER THE FEMA OTHER NEEDS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Letter introducing FEMA outreach program for PWD's

EQUAL RIGHTS OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO DR 1692-NY( updated 05/04/2007

YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS AND DISASTER ASSISTANCE

DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS

Are the nursing homes in your community really prepared? read the full story here

A Failure of Initiative: The Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina Read the full story here.