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Just in the last couple of years alone we have seen complete devastation brought on by wildfires, floods, mudslides and other natural disasters. This morning I was listening to an interview with the California Fire Director, Chief Pimlott, as he discussed all the co-occurring wildfires happening right now in California and all that is being done to control them. One of the things he said was we need to stop referring to the fires as the new normal because it is no longer new… it is the normal for California and everybody should be prepared to act. In California one of the requirements to getting licensed as a community care facility is that a disaster plan be in place. The plan is a series of forms and facility sketches that indicate where people with mobility issues may be, locations of at least 2 relocation sites and other structural criteria. While the disaster plan for CCF is important and a requirement it is more or less a generic plan.
Tailoring a disaster plan to meet individual needs is essential to truly being prepared in the unfortunate event of a disaster. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) highlights the fact that no two disasters are the same but nearly all of them disproportionately affect individuals with access and functional needs (AFN). Realizing the vulnerability of people with AFN, Cal OES established the Office of Access and Functional Needs (OAFN) to ensure full integration into the state’s emergency management system. OAFN utilizes a whole community approach by offering training and guidance to emergency managers and planners, disability advocates and other service providers responsible for planning for, responding to and helping communities recover from disasters. They have great resources for families and individuals on their website which you can visit by clicking here.
Our thoughts are with everybody who is being displaced, at-risk or affected by the wildfires. Cal OES also has a list of Statewide Wildfire Recovery Resources located here.
Most Important STAY SAFE!!
Teresa Anderson, Policy Director, The Arc & UCP Collaboration