Lessons Learned: Enhancing Communication between Emergency Responders and Entities Serving People

Transcription

1 Lessons Learned: Enhancing Communication between Emergency Responders and Entities Serving People with Hearing Loss Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference Tacoma, WA April 7, 2010 Donna Platt Emergency Education Program Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center

2 In 2009, United Way of King County awarded the Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center (HSDC) funding to host the unique tabletop exercise to test and strengthen communication & coordination between emergency responders and Deaf, Deaf-Blind & Hard of Hearing populations

3 Why focus on people with hearing loss? Why not include them with people with disabilities?

4 People with hearing loss are left out due to lack of communication access which is announced audibly They require visual information The emergency information or warning is not as comprehensive as when disseminated audibly Many individuals have limited English skills due to sign language as a first language

5 Purpose of Tabletop Exercise Review, exchange information and resolve problems based on agency roles & responsibilities Review resources, plans and procedures which will ensure that Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing residents of King County receive the support they need in an emergency

6 Purpose of Tabletop Exercise continued Explore options on communication means that Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing residents use and re-evaluate the best way to disseminate emergency warnings and information to them effectively and culturally

7 Steering Committee Steering Committee (met 3 times); a) brainstorm & selection of disaster event & injects (before, response, recovery) b) tabletop exercise draft review & evaluator training c) wrap-up Committee members observed as evaluators during the tabletop exercise event

8 Steering Committee Participants Deaf-Blind Service Center (DBSC) Lighthouse for the Blind Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center (HSDC) Washington State Hearing Loss Association (HLA) Public Health Seattle & King County Seattle Office of Emergency Management Seattle Fire Department Seattle Police Department

9 Communication Access Microphone* Real time captioning American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters t (platform & voicing)* Tactile interpreters* Close-up interpreters * Provided during Steering Committee meetings

10 Tabletop Exercise Agenda Introduction self, agency, job title Objectives Disaster Scenario (windstorm) with injects for before, response and recovery Questions for non-profit and government agencies Lessons Learned

11 Tabletop Exercise Participants Abused Deaf Women Seattle Police Department Advocacy s Services Seattle Fire Department (ADWAS) American Red Cross of King Deaf-Blind Service Center County (DBSC) City of Seattle Office of Lighthouse for the Blind Emergency Management Hearing, Speech & Deafness King County Office of Center (HSDC) Emergency Management Washington State Hearing Public Health Seattle & King Loss Association (HLA) County Helen Keller National Center Seattle Public Utilities (Northwest region) Seattle Sound Mental Health (Deaf King County 211 Program) Seattle Office for Civil Rights

12 Results of the Tabletop Exercise

13 Strengths Non-profit agencies agree with government agencies that coordination & cooperation is a necessity and all are motivated for change Government agencies are well prepared with disaster supplies and response plans for their staff The Red Cross and Public Health-Seattle and King County have valuable emergency preparedness training available The Department of Transportation will utilize messaging on freeways and on road signs to deliver important information Individuals can access emergency information through many electronic means

14 Challenges Lack of emergency planning among many non-profit agencies No standardized way for the non-profit agencies to reach their clients with emergency information during and after business hours Few options currently available for communication when the power is out Emergency preparedness materials and information not easily accessible for Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing Media information not designed to assist the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing and needs improvement

15 Challenges continued People not directly with community based organizations may not be reached during a disaster Limited coordination between non-profit agencies themselves and between non-profit agencies and government agencies Process of calling 211 and other emergency information lines not easily understood Reading board displays available at large shelters but limited communication access at shelters for Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing Great lack of funding for interpreters for training and during a disaster

16 Next Steps Non-profit agencies need emergency plans Communication systems need improvement Media organizations need to be engaged Non-profit and government agencies need to coordinate

17 Non-profit Agencies Need Emergency Plans Need to have agency emergency plans in place Need to receive training i and practice Establish contact list (phone trees) for staff, clients, and designated individuals to contact people in the community Text message distribution list could be useful for mass dissemination Assist in working with certain clients in finding designated neighbors to assist when power outage occurs Form coalition for emergency response with other non-profit agencies Regular meetings are suggested in order to promote emergency preparedness and access to information

18 Communication Systems Need Improvement Government agencies need to look at means of communication and to receive training from representatives of Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing communities on how best to communicate with them All agencies need to re-evaluate evaluate how they receive information, access information and test those means Most communication used by Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing rely on electricity. Need to explore technology that t works during a power outage

19 Communication Systems Need Improvement continued Video phone hotline via emergency management or non-profit agency is recommended for direct information Pre-recorded video clips in ASL for different scenarios should be developed Communication test during the next wide scale functional disaster exercise should include TTY and other communication i means Shelters should develop communication kits to assist in communicating with Deaf, Deaf- Blind and Hard of Hearing

20 Media Organizations Need to be Engaged Media organizations need to be contacted regarding limited communication currently in place Media needs to be educated on improving their messages to Deaf, Deaf- Blind and Hard of Hearing Future exercises should include representatives from media

21 Non-profit and Government Agencies Need to Coordinate Representatives from Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing communities should be selected to assist in material development on emergency preparedness education for their communities Representatives from non-profit agencies should be part of ESF-6 to help with planning to strengthen access for people with hearing loss Government agencies need to include Deaf, Deaf- Blind and Hard of Hearing in their public health campaigns, informational videos and other emergency preparedness materials for public

22 Lessons Learned Participants commented that the tabletop exercise was a great learning experience because it helped to strengthen their understanding of: roles & responsibilities of each agency needs of agencies to be emergency prepared communication challenges Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing residents experience appropriate & effective options in sending out emergency warnings & information to them

23 With improved communication and coordination, the level l of emergency preparedness for all will be increased and our ability to respond to and recover from disasters will benefit tremendously.

24 Contact Information Donna Platt Manager Emergency Education Program TTY Direct numbers via VRS