Emergency Preparedness Events and Training on the Redwood Coast

On May 27th and May 28th 2008, people on the Redwood Coast of California came together to learn about emergency preparedness as it applies to agencies, personal lives and the lives of individuals with special needs. Over 200 individuals from Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties were trained.

These events were co-sponsored by the Redwood Coast Regional Center and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities Area Board One. At the Mendocino County meeting, a free Lunch was provided by the County Department of Public Health. At both trainings, first responders and local emergency response officials presented information and had open dialogues with the audience.

The sessions were exciting, useful, fresh, and motivational. Ana-Marie Jones (pictured to the left with Peter Narloch of Redwood Coast Regional Center) won over the audiences with her lively, positive and practical presentations. Her topics included the Joy of Preparedness, Personal Emergency Preparedness, Preparedness for Service Providers, and Agency Emergency Planning.

The Area One Board is especially grateful for the funds that they obtained through the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. These funds allowed the Area Board to become a full partner in designing, promoting, and enhancing local training efforts, and in maximizing everyone’s effectiveness and inter-agency multi-level collaboration. Partnerships were solidified with local Sheriffs, County Offices of Emergency Services, Departments of Public Health and Social Services, Regional Center, Area Board, local consumers, residential service providers, day service providers, health care providers, and college staff.

The group exercises focused upon individual empowerment and creative thinking that could be used during emergency situations. Some of the practical ideas included the use of small flash lights and whistles that could fit on key chains. There is a code that is simple to remember one flash/whistle means “YES”; two flashes/whistles means “NO”; and three flashes/whistles means “HELP”. During emergencies, these simple communication aids could save many lives. There was an exciting exercise on generating creative uses for a simple Zip-Lock bag. The concrete examples stimulated many unique and original ideas. All this was aimed at getting people to realize the power they have within themselves, and how to use it when needed.

Feedback, in just two days, has been incredibly positive. Personal connections are strengthened and new friends now have something very personal and constructive in common. Ideas have been generated for the development of personal emergency plans, and in line with the California State Plan Goals and Objectives (CS3.1) the Area Board has begun discussions with the Redwood Coast Regional Center to include emergency plans in each client’s Individual Program Plan.

The Area One Board would like to find some funding to purchase the Key Chain flash lights and whistles for all of our local Regional Center Consumers.

The sincere appreciation of Area Board One goes to the leadership and financial support given us by the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Council Staff, the overarching leadership of Governor Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, the ongoing support of Office of Emergency Services, the Redwood Coast Regional Center and to our many locally involved collaborative agencies, officials, individuals, and friends.