| Overview: |
The Nobody Left Behind research project began in 2002 in response to the lack of empirical data on emergency preparedness and response for persons with mobility impairments. The media coverage of September 11th brought evacuation issues to the forefront by the reports of people with disabilities being left behind and perishing as a result. The research team investigated 30 randomly-selected U.S. counties, cities, parishes, and boroughs where a natural or man-made disaster occurred between 1998 and 2003 to determine the state of preparedness at local levels for people with mobility impairments.
Specifically, through phone surveys and reviews of local emergency management plans, the researchers examined whether local emergency management plans, guidelines, and procedures address the needs of persons with mobility impairments. In addition, the investigators determined what emerging "best practices" are being followed in disability-related emergency preparedness and response. The project's online consumer survey, administered from the study's website, captured personal descriptions about the circumstances that people with mobility impairments face during a disaster such as the personal statement on the cover page. Their experiences are powerful reflections of the shortcomings in local emergency management and response systems in the United States.
Said one survey participant: "I have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and use a wheelchair. We had a bomb threat at work, which was very scary. Everyone evacuated, but I was still left on the third floor by the stairwell for the fire fighters to come get me. But, no one came. Finally, I just struggled, and I used pure fear to get myself down the stairs and outside. It was scary just to realize that there are not really any procedures in place to help someone like me in an emergency."
Findings included:
A majority of the emergency managers were not trained in special needs populations, which includes persons with mobility impairments.
Little to no representation of persons with mobility impairments at the planning/revision stages of the emergency plan existed.
A majority of the emergency managers did not know how many persons with mobility impairments lived within jurisdiction.
Only 21% of the emergency managers are planning to develop guidelines for assisting persons with disabilities,
Recommendations were:
Take people with disabilities out of the special needs category and incorporate specific information on people with disabilities into the basic course for emergency managers and disaster response personnel.
Incorporate people with disabilities into the actual training scenarios for first responders.
Organizations that serve persons with disabilities encourage consumers to participate in self-identification, and individual and community emergency planning.
Encourage Local Emergency Planning Centers (LEPC) to include people with disabilities in interactions with their local emergency providers.
Develop GIS mapping to identify where people are located and concentration of people with disabilities.
Develop local systems using advanced technology that require agencies to alert designated people in the event of an emergency.
Create a template annex/appendix on persons with disabilities for adoption by emergency managers.
Emergency management plans should, at a minimum, address the guidelines for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pertaining to emergency management as recommended by the Department of Justice. #2146
White, G.W., Fox, M.H., Rowland, J.L., & Rooney, C. (2006). Overview of research findings. Lawrence, KS: Research and Training Center on Independent Living, University of Kansas. |
