COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTIN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Sewer Smart Summit 2008October 9, 2008

Presented byScott McCormick

CARD - Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters

People with Special Needs 1:

• Seniors and/or frail elderly • Poor, without resources, extremely low income• Blind, visually impaired, low vision• Single parents, lone guardians with no support

systems• Deaf, hearing impaired, hard-of-hearing (HoH)• Limited English Proficiency (LEP), monolingual• Emergent special needs (new needs due to disaster)• Children, infants, unattended minors, runaways,

latchkey kids• Homeless or shelter dependent - including domestic

violence shelters• Chemically dependent – includes legal and illegal

drug dependence issues• Medically compromised, low immune system,

medically fragile, contagious

People with Special Needs 2:

• Ex-convicts, registered offenders and other clients of the criminal justice system

• People fearful of (or refusing services from) government, Red Cross or any unfamiliar bureaucracy

• Physically disabled - from minor issues to complete dependence on life support

• Mentally/Cognitively disabled - from minor issues to complete dependence on support systems

• Transient needs (tourists, people needing replacement hearing aids or glasses, etc.)

• Owners and guardians of pets/animals, people who make life and death decisions based on animal concerns

• Culturally isolated – little interaction outside of their chosen community (religion, sobriety, LGBTIQQ, geography caused isolation, etc.)

CARD History • 24/7 Media Attention – 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

pre-empted the World Series.

• Despite great effort -- government, Red Cross and traditional response organizations could not address immediate, short-term or long-term needs for most vulnerable residents.

• Three Alameda County agencies (Eden I&R, ESN, BOSS) championed having nonprofits unite for preparedness and response for vulnerable communities. United Way of the Bay Area brought together hundreds of Bay Area nonprofit leaders.

• CARD was created BY local community agencies, FOR local community agencies, and works WITH community agencies and committed partners to fulfill on a vision of a prepared, inclusive, resilient, humane society.

CARD’s philosophy – Prepare to Prosper!

Stages of Emergency Management

• (Prevention)

• Preparedness

• Response

• Recovery

RALLYPOINT

For disaster preparednesstraining and resources call

CARD(510) 451-3144

www.FirstVictims.org serving people with special needsin times of disaster

Communication Tools

There are many communication tools we don’t normally consider that may become useful if a disaster cuts off your normal channels.High(er) Tech

Ruggedized LaptopsSatellite PhonesMultimedia aSpreadsPalm Pilots / BlackberriesHam RadiosCB Radios Walkie-TalkiesCell Phones PagersDigital Telephones

Low(er) TechRadiosMegaphones / BullhornsPOTS (Analog) Telephones Bulletin Board/White BoardCarbon Paper / NCR paper Whistles DrumsFlag PolePublic SignageRunners

Outreach Tools

There are different ways you can speak to your community beforehand. Different method have different advantages, and may help you reach people you had not reached before.

American Sign Language (ASL)

Computers : DSL or dial-up Door-to-door canvassing or

home visits E-mail and listserves Fact Sheets or FAQs Fax Machines/WinFax Information Phone lines (such

as 800 numbers)

In-person events, workshops or classes

Language Translators Mailing lists: brochures,

fliers Radio Television Video / cassette tape /

CD-ROM / DVD Websites

Cultural Competency

• Languages– translations, interpreters (only part of the

solution)• Non-Language Options

– visual word boards, graphics

Cultural Competency

• Languages– translations, interpreters (only part of the

solution)• Non-Language Options

– visual word boards, graphics• Idiomatic / Cultural Translation

– limitations of simple/direct translation; pitfalls• Language-related Needs

– different needs, not just different words• Jargon

– acronyms, insider vocabulary• Terminology

– culturally sensitive use of language

A Brilliant Success:

ImportantClear and

simpleMulti-language

Color-codedGraphic

Ready to useLow-techFamiliar

Communication: Capacity

How FAST can you spread your message?

Speed is often critical. Note that your message isn’t “spread” until it’s received: leaving a voicemail doesn’t count; hearing back is how you know you reached someone.

Communication: Capacity

How FAR can you spread your message?

Who can you reach? How far away can you reach people with your message?

Communication: Capacity

How DEEP can you spread your message?

Some people are harder to reach than others. The easiest people to reach are usually the ones who already heard you.

Knowing how deeply you can get a message helps you choose communication priorities.

Communication: Flexing

“Communications Flex” =• Test your communications capacity

• LEARN your capacity

Even if you do nothing to increase your communications capacity:

simply knowing what it is will be valuable for your preparedness and

response decisions.

Communication: Flexing

To request use of CARD’s copyrighted materials, or for more information:, contact CARD - Collaborating Agencies Responding

to Disasters Phone: 510-451-3140Fax: 510-451-3144info@FirstVictims.org

1736 Franklin Street, Suite 450Oakland, CA 94612-3456www.FirstVictims.org