News and Articles

Assisting People with Disabilities in Emergency Evacuation

Alice Frame, MA - MDHHS Disabilities Health Unit

Planning for evacuation is an important part of emergency preparedness.  Some emergency situations may require individuals to leave a building or area quickly and efficiently, but this is not an easy task for many people.  When putting together emergency evacuation plans, it is important to consider the unique needs of all people, such as individuals with disabilities.

People with disabilities may require different types of assistance during an evacuation.  Outlined below are some tips for helping people with various kinds of disabilities at each step in the evacuation process.

Assisting People with Disabilities in Emergency Evacuation>>

Training & Events

Recorded EMS Webinars Available

MI-TRAIN

Two new webinar recordings have been posted to MI-TRAIN.  Each module is worth 1 EMS credit.

Active Shooter and Violent Scenes: What do we do? - 1083786

Medical Legal: What is new? - 1083478

The Michigan Update

Region 5 District Medical Response Coalition Asset Keeps Firefighters Warm During Extreme Cold Weather

In Michigan, it is common that emergency response assets housed at a local health department or regional healthcare coalition are used by others response agencies for local emergencies.  The Region 5 District Medical Response Coalition (R5DMRC) deployed their Major Incident Support Unit trailer to help local firefighters stay warm and hydrated while working outside in the dangerous cold in January 2019.  The asset is unique in that it can serve multiple purposes from a response unit for mass casualties to the use as a responder warming unit.  

Region 5 District Medical Response Coalition Asset Keeps Firefighters Warm During Extreme Cold Weather>>

Research

Assessing reporting delays and the effective reproduction number: The 2018-19 Ebola epidemic in DRC, May 2018-January 2019

The spread of Ebola to Congolese urban centers along with deliberate attacks on the health care workers has hindered epidemiological surveillance activities, leading to substantial reporting delays. Reporting delays distort the epidemic incidence pattern and misrepresenting estimates of epidemic potential and the outbreak trajectory. To assess the impact of reporting delays, researchers conducted a real-time analysis of the dynamics of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) using epidemiological data retrieved from the World Health Organization Situation Reports and Disease Outbreak News.  The most recent analysis of the Ebola outbreak in DRC indicates that the Ebola virus still active although transmission is characterized by a low fluctuating reproduction number. The researchers suggest this pattern does not imply that the epidemic can be easily controlled particularly in the context of unstable epidemiological surveillance efforts hindered by unpredictable local violence.

Assessing reporting delays and the effective reproduction number: The 2018-19 Ebola epidemic in DRC, May 2018-January 2019>>

Tools & Resources

Capacity-Building Toolkit for Including Aging and Disability Networks in Emergency Planning

This 114-page toolkit was developed to guide aging and disability networks in increasing their ability to plan for and respond to public health emergencies and disasters. It helps programs that serve people with access and functional needs, including older adults and people with disabilities, through the emergency planning process of preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. It can also help organizations of all types conduct more inclusive emergency planning by facilitating personal preparedness among aging adults and people with disabilities, and expanding organizational knowledge of the unique challenges facing these populations during emergencies.

Capacity-Building Toolkit for Including Aging and Disability Networks in Emergency Planning>>