I have been involved on a voluntary basis in emergency management and preparedness for 15 years in various areas around the country. My passion is getting people with disabilities involved in disaster preparedness because our community knows that during those times, we lose. Why? Because jurisdictions do not include people with disabilities in their disaster … Continue reading Anita Cameron: In Disasters We Lose
As the southern half of the United States begins repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Irma, news reports surfaced that residents of a Hollywood Hills assisted living facility called The Rehabilitation Center were inside the center without air conditioning. Eight people died even though there was a hospital across the street, just mere yards from … Continue reading DREDF Statement on Hollywood Hills Tragedy: In Emergency Planning, Disabled People Are Too Often Left Behind
Shortly after posting Susan Dooha’s blog post on the lack of accessibility she encountered in emergency shelters during Hurricane Irene, I asked a friend and colleague if he’d be interested in writing a reaction/followup to Susan’s post. Paul Timmons has a lot of experience with disaster relief – what entities such as the Red Cross … Continue reading Guest Blog: Paul Timmons – It’s Time to Stop Playing Nice With the Emergency Management Community After Continued Failure to Serve Disabled Disaster Victims
Intro: Over this last weekend, many people in the disability community were watching the progress of Hurricane Irene and hoping that – finally – disabled people were being properly taken into account in emergency plans. Judging from the reports from Susan Dooha, Executive Director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY), … Continue reading Guest Blog: Susan Dooha on “Lessons Not Learned” in NYC Emergency Shelters for PWDs
