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Institute Events and Trainings
Institute on Disabilities at Temple University

ADVOCACY

Emergency Preparedness

Create and maintain an Emergency kit.

Create a plan for you and your family/support.

Get, and stay, informed.


What is Emergency Preparedness?

The term "Emergency management planning and preparedness" can cover a wide variety of topics like emergency, risk, disaster, and hazard management as well as civil defense and protection. An "emergency" is defined as an exceptional event that exceeds the capacity of normal resources and organization to cope. All emergencies are by definition dangerous, which means that the potential loss of life is involved. Four levels of emergency can be identified as follows: (Alexander 2002)

  1. Routine Dispatch Problem—the most minor of emergencies, involving first responders;
  2. Incident—any emergency a jurisdiction can handle without needing to call in outside help;
  3. Disaster—also called a catastrophe, an incident involving substantial destruction and mass casualty;
  4. National (or International) Disaster—a disaster of substantial magnitude and seriousness.

Being prepared for an emergency is crucial for you and your family, in your home, in your place of business or your school and throughout your community.

Experts, including the American Red Cross, say that being prepared for an emergency takes planning, foresight, cooperation, and diligence. They say, "Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed."

For people with disabilities, proper planning could be lifesaving. It is essential for people with disabilities, their families and support system prepare carefully based on their unique needs.

For specific information on how to prepare, go to the Resources.

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Emergency Preparedness—The mission of the Institute on Disabilities

The mission of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University with regard to Emergency Preparedness:

To develop and execute research, create programs, disseminate information, and deliver services and training to, with and for people with disabilities about emergency preparedness in the home, work, and community.

The Institute's Emergency Preparedness program will reach out to and, collaborate with, local communities, the city of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as national organizations to provide information and services to make an impact on the safety and well-being of individuals with disabilities, families and support system.

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Communication Aids in Case of Emergency

The Institute on Disabilities has created and is now offering to the public communication aids to be used by people with communication disabilities and by people who do not speak English during an emergency. Designed for people with disabilities as well as emergency shelter workers and first responders, these aids can be downloaded FREE or printed copies can be sent for a nominal fee. For more information about the Emergency Communication 4 ALL Aids

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Projects and Partners

Durable Medical Equipment collection for survivors of Hurricane Katrina

Just weeks after the disaster in the Gulf states, our sister Assistive Technology program, the Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network (LATAN), reached out for help. Durable medical equipment was needed immediately for distribution to the hundreds of local residents who were living without necessary equipment. Two weeks later, the Institute on Disabilities organized a widespread collection effort on Temple University's main campus when an 18-wheeler truck was filled with donated wheel chairs, walkers, shower chairs, hospital beds and more. The community and Temple University were important team members in the effort, donating equipment, services, volunteers, food, etc. When the truck arrived in Louisiana, the equipment was unloaded by LATAN volunteers and distributed to the community.

As with many organizations and individuals throughout the country, the disaster opened our eyes to a much needed strategy on a local and national level for on managing catastrophic events. All people, but especially people with disabilities MUST be prepared for emergencies.

From this one effort, our Emergency Preparedness program has grown city-, state- and country-wide.

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SPAR-GIS Pilot

www.spargis.org
Institute on Disabilities and the Center for Preparedness, Research, Education and Practice (CPREP), Temple University

The SPAR-GIS Pilot (Special Population Analysis and Research) is an aggregate population data project focused on select groups that comprise "Special Populations" in the context of emergency preparedness, planning and response. Data that is gathered will be plotted geographically using GIS software for analysis and research for purposes of emergency management, at the city, county and state level.

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Other Partners

Philadelphia Department of Health
www.phila.gov/Health

Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management
www.phila.gov/ready

Center for Integrated Emergency Preparedness Decision and Information Sciences Division—Argonne National Laboratory
www.dis.anl.gov/exp/ep

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News and Resources

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