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Home > Monthly Updates > June 2007 Monthly Update
Monthly Updates - June 2007In This Issue
Category of Linkswww.disabilitypreparedness.gov Contact Usdisability.preparedness@dhs.gov ICC Monthly HighlightsAppointment of FEMA's Disability Coordinator AnnouncedOn June 21, 2007, FEMA Administrator David Paulison announced that Cindy Lou Daniel will fill the new disability coordinator position within FEMA establish by the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. Ms. Daniel will be responsible for providing guidance and coordination on emergency planning requirements and relief efforts for individuals with disabilities. "As someone with a disability, Cindy has worked to empower all people with disabilities for more than 19 years. I know her skills and experience will be an asset as we work together to build a new FEMA," Paulison said. Most recently, Ms. Daniel worked at the National Organization on Disability in their Emergency Preparedness Initiative. She conducted research on the effects Hurricane Katrina had on people with disabilities and created an informational help desk for emergency agencies on various disability-related subjects. The press release announcing Ms. Daniel's appointment is available at: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=37220. FEMA Announces Advisory Council MembershipOn June 19, 2007, FEMA Administrator David Paulison announced the membership of the National Advisory Council. The Council, which intends to meet quarterly, will advise the Administrator of FEMA on all aspects of preparedness and emergency management in an effort to ensure close coordination with its partners across the country.
"These experts in the field of emergency preparedness and response will bring new and unique perspective to the Department," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "We welcome their service and look forward to their valuable contributions and innovative ideas in emergency management." "The men and women nominated to serve on the National Advisory Council are recognized experts across the range of emergency management disciplines," said Administrator Paulison. "Their extensive knowledge and diverse points of view will be a great asset as they advise us on how we can best respond to natural and manmade disasters together." The proposed membership includes experts on individuals with disabilities, special needs, and public health. To view the press release and the list of proposed members visit: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=37154. LLIS.gov Emergency Planning for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs Resource Web PageLessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS.gov) announced the launch of their resource page, Emergency Planning for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs. A one-stop resource shop for planners at all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities, the resource page provides more than 250 documents, including lessons learned, plans, procedures, policies, and guidance, on how to include citizens with disabilities and other special needs populations in all phases of the emergency management cycle. LLIS depends on input from emergency planning professionals for recommendations to continually update and improve the site. Please submit ideas to specialneeds@llis.dhs.gov. They also encourage submission of plans, reports, or other documents related to emergency planning for persons with disabilities and other special needs populations. LLIS.gov is available to emergency response providers and homeland security officials from the local, state, and federal levels. To access the resource page, log onto www.LLIS.gov and click on Emergency Planning for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs under Featured Topics. If you meet the eligibility requirements for accessing Lessons Learned Information Sharing, you can request membership by registering online. Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS.gov) is the national network of Lessons Learned and Best Practices for emergency response providers and homeland security officials. LLIS.gov's secure, restricted-access information is designed to facilitate efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to all hazards across all disciplines and communities throughout the US. Please send any thoughts, questions, or suggestions that you may have to specialneeds@llis.dhs.gov. ICC Monthly UpdatesUS Department of TransportationFederal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and MobilityThe Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (United We Ride) developed a new three year action plan. On June 21, 2007, United We Ride Executive Council held its Quarterly Meeting at which time the Executive Council approved the Action Plan. Collaboration with Federal partners to address specific transportation needs for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with lower incomes during emergency preparedness planning, response, and recovery is among the action items that will be implemented in a working group. ICC Emergency Transportation Work GroupThe work group has completed a checklist for local communities on transportation issues during emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. To view the checklist visit: http://www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/Documents/Emergency/Emergency%20Checklist.doc. The work group is also working with the Federal Highway Administration on the development of a Primer on Evacuation of Special Populations. Most recently, the work group participated in the Connecting Communities Forum in Columbus, Ohio to integrate special populations into emergency transportation preparedness activities at the local level. Transportation Equity in Emergencies Report ReleasedThe Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) Office of Civil Rights released a report designed to promote nondiscrimination in the emergency preparedness activities administered by recipients of FTA financial assistance. The report explores the extent to which selected transit providers, metropolitan planning organizations, and state departments of transportation are identifying and addressing the needs of populations that may be especially vulnerable in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The report also highlights resources that may help officials in metropolitan regions to better incorporate attention to populations with specific mobility needs into their ongoing emergency preparedness planning activities. "Transportation Equity in Emergencies: A Review of the Practices of State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and Transit Agencies in 20 Metropolitan Areas" can be accessed at: http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7698. US Department of LaborICC Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace Work Group members participated in a tour and briefing of the Department of Agriculture Emergency Command Center. In June, as a follow-up, the Director of Security at the Department of Labor (DOL) delivered a presentation to the work group members on the security measures and procedures in place at DOL for use during times of emergency. The work group's focus continues to be the provision of clear and consistent guidance to Federal building officials and managers regarding the inclusion of the needs of federal employees and visitors with disabilities in the development of workplace emergency plans, including continuity of operations and disaster recovery plans. In keeping with deliverables set out in the ICC action plan, the work group has been discussing the use of stairwells during an emergency. An addendum to the Framework of Guidelines — Preparing the Workplace for Everyone: Accounting for the Needs of People with Disabilities --on this topic is part of the group's effort to acquire continuous feedback, lessons learned, and new information. Further work on the addendum will be completed before the work group reconvenes in September. Federal Communications CommissionThe Federal Communications Commission recently implemented various recommendations of the Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on communications networks. (The full report from the Independent Panel can be viewed at: http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/advisory/hkip/index.html.) In recognition of the problems in the Emergency Alert System (EAS) in regards to communicating with people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency, the Commission directed the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) and the Consumer & Government Affairs Bureau (CGB) to work with state, local, and tribal governments, the business community, and community-based organizations representing people with disabilities and limited English proficiency communities in an effort to make the EAS an effective communication tool for all communities. For more information, see: (Dkt No. 06-63 , 06-119). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 05/31/2007 by ORDER. (FCC No. 07-107). PSHSB FCC-07-107A1.doc FCC-07-107A2.doc FCC-07-107A3.doc FCC-07-107A4.doc FCC-07-107A5.doc FCC-07-107A6.doc FCC-07-107A1.pdf FCC-07-107A2.pdf FCC-07-107A3.pdf FCC-07-107A4.pdf FCC-07-107A5.pdf FCC-07-107A6.pdf FCC-07-107A1.txt FCC-07-107A2.txt FCC-07-107A3.txt FCC-07-107A4.txt FCC-07-107A5.txt FCC-07-107A6.txt. US Department of Homeland SecurityReady.gov Announces National Preparedness MonthNational Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. National Preparedness Month 2007 is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action. Throughout September, DHS will work with a wide variety of organizations, including local, state, and federal government agencies and the private sector, to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement, including those with disabilities and other special needs, through events and activities across the nation. To review the National Preparedness Month information and to participate in this important effort please visit: www.ready.gov. IAEM, and NEMA Co-Host Citizen Corps National Preparedness ConferenceThe June 2007 National Conference on Community Preparedness — Partnerships and Collaboration Through Citizen Corps provided an opportunity for over 600 attendees from across the country to share best practices in community emergency preparedness. The conference, held in Alexandria, VA, was jointly hosted by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA). Dr. Carl Cameron, Center for Disability and Special Needs, presented a workshop on a Community Readiness Model for Special Needs. This well attended workshop explored ways people with disabilities living on their own with support from community based organizations can take more responsibility for their own safety in disasters. The Community Readiness approach trains community organization, especially advocacy and provider organizations that serve people with disabilities, to engage in community exercises. Citizen Corps and the FEMA Office of Community Preparedness invite your participation and assistance in providing resources and examples for strengthening local preparedness. If you have local stories of how your organizations are working with Citizen Corps or emergency management to address special needs populations, including individuals with disabilities, please send your stories to citizencorps@dhs.gov. Citizen Corps' mission is based on the principle that full citizen engagement is important at all levels and in all areas of all-hazard emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery. DHS — Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Outreach Activities and EventsOn June 5th, CRCL staff presented a workshop at the FEMA Higher Education Conference held in Emmitsburg, MD. Conference attendees primarily consisted of members of academia are connected to emergency management. The workshop presented by CRCL staff was titled, "The Paradigm Shift in Planning for Special Needs Populations." This sparked discussion regarding the newly crafted functional definition of "special needs;" stressed the importance of utilizing key principles of disability law throughout emergency management activities; and provided information on a wide array of planning considerations, including the development of assessments and the implementation of registries as part of emergency planning. The presentation also placed emphasis on curriculum development, training, and exercising that is inclusive of special needs populations and related organizations. On June 7th, CRCL staff met with FEMA Community Relations staff to discuss proposed revisions to the ESF 15 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). CRCL was tasked with providing comments regarding the inclusion of issues related to special needs populations. Some revision in language contained in the SOP and the development of a Special Needs Appendix to the Community Relations Annex within the SOP were recommended by CRCL and agreed upon by the FEMA Community Relations staff. The appendix notes relevant civil rights statutes and provides an overview of how staff engaged in Community Relations support activities can ensure that the civil rights of all residents of an affected area are upheld before, during, and after an emergency incident. On June 14th, Senior Policy Advisor Claudia Gordon delivered the keynote address at the Alabama Association of the Deaf (AAD) conference held in Birmingham, Alabama. The theme of the event was "Embrace the Future: Make a Difference!" Ms. Gordon provided the audience with words of inspiration and tied this directly to her work at the national policy level that focuses on individuals with disabilities and emergency preparedness. On June 13th, CRCL participated in a conference call with researchers from the University of Kansas Research and Training Center on Independent Living (RTCIL). The stated purpose of the call was to learn of best practices that this group could recommend with regard to emergency preparedness and individuals with disabilities. RTCIL has conducted some well known work in the area of emergency management (i.e. the Nobody Left Behind project). CRCL had an opportunity to share information about the activities currently underway at the national level that are focusing on the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in emergency preparedness activities. National Council on DisabilityNational Council on Disability (NCD) has embarked upon a public consultation process to identify best practices regarding homeland security, emergency preparedness, disaster relief and recovery and individuals with disabilities. Local communities generally have more hands-on experience dealing with disasters and can therefore provide practical advice to the federal and state governments as well as private organizations. Governments can then use this advice to develop more effective policies. For more information and to participate in the consultation, go to: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2007/ncd_consultant_05-31-07.htm. White House Domestic Policy CouncilThe White House has appointed Major Daniel M. Gade as the new Associate Director for Domestic Policy, Domestic Policy Council at the White House. Major Gade is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and is soon to receive his Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Georgia. While serving in Iraq, Major Gade was decorated for valor and was wounded in action twice, with one injury resulting in the loss of his right leg. He is the first person to serve in this position while on active military duty. Recently Released ResourcesFCC Releases 255 Report & OrderIP-ENABLED SERVICES; IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTIONS 255 AND 251(A)(2): ACCESS TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE, TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND CUSTOMER PREMISES EQUIPMENT BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES; ET AL. Extended the disability access requirements that currently apply to telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers under section 255 of the Communications Act of 1934. (Dkt No. 92-105, 96-198). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 05/31/2007 by R&O. (FCC No. 07-110). CGB Citizen Corps May/June 2007 NewsletterThe May/June 2007 issue of the Citizen Corps Newsletter addresses topics ranging from hurricane season to home safety, and presents numerous stories from Citizen Corps Councils in the field. Also included are updates from Citizen Corp partners. For more information, please visit: http://www.citizencorps.gov/downloads/pdf/news/newsletter/cc-newsletter-may-june2007.pdf. Hurricane Preparedness: A Time for All Pet Owners to Get ReadyThis online guide, from The Humane Society of the United States, reminds pet owners to get prepared for hurricane season by creating a plan and gathering supplies. The Humane Society is advising pet owners in hurricane-prone areas to create a kit for their pet that includes a three-day supply of food, bowls, photographs, medications, veterinary records, and other necessary supplies. For more information, please visit: http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/hurricane_preparedness_week.html. Federal Resource Collection on Disaster Behavioral HealthThis resource collection contains a variety of federally produced disaster behavioral health materials. Many resources were produced in reaction to several large-scale disasters and can be adapted for future disasters. This collection may be updated as new disasters pose unique challenges in response and recovery. It is available on CD-ROM or at: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/dtac/FederalResource/index.htm. Upcoming EventsJuly 8-11, 2007 July 18-20, 2007 July 22-27, 2007 July 26-27, 2007 August 6-7, 2007 September 16-19, 2007 October 10-11, 2007 November 11-14, 2007 April 1-2, 2008 About the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with DisabilitiesThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties oversees the implementation of Executive Order 13347, Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness, which was signed by President Bush in July 2004. This Executive Order is designed to ensure the safety and security of individuals with disabilities in all-hazard emergency and disaster situations. To this end, the Executive Order created an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities. The ICC is comprised of senior leadership from more than 20 Federal departments and agencies. Its mission is to ensure that people with disabilities and their specific needs are fully integrated into all aspects of our nation's emergency management system; including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The Secretary of Homeland Security is the Chair of the ICC, and he has delegated that role to Mr. Daniel Sutherland, the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. The Council has concentrated its work in eight major areas:
Join the ICC Listserv!The Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities (ICC) has created a listserv. Please join our listserv to receive the ICC's Monthly Updates and Quarterly Newsletter, Emergency Preparedness NOW, and access other information pertinent to emergency preparedness and individuals with disabilities. To join please visit http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/archives/icc-dispreppubs-l.html or go to http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/ and click "Online Mailing List Archives," then select "ICC-DISPREPPUBS-L" and complete the subscription form. For more information about the ICC please visit http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov. |
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