FEMA Promoising Practice: Preparedness for People with Chemical Sensitivity and with Developmental Disabilities

This webinar will cover important aspects of consideration during the proactive development and implementation of a disaster plan for people with developmental disabilities and for those with respiratory concerns. It will cover the specific needs of those particular members of the community and how these two programs developed necessary steps to ensure the timely delivery of medical supplies, considerations for travel (public or private), where and how to make contact with appropriate parties, and how to prepare a travel kit.

• Jean Levine, is the Training Director for Becoming Independent, the largest provider of services to people with intellectual disabilities in Sonoma County, California. She grew up with a sibling who had severe disabilities and has been working in the service field for 40 years. Ms. Levine has developed disaster preparedness orientation and training units for both staff and persons served.
• Richard Ruge has worked in the field of disabilities since 1972. The organization he co-founded, DP4VP - Disaster Preparedness for Vulnerable Populations, promotes community empowerment and self-sufficiency in the face of disasters through networking, workshops, materials, and engagement.
• Linda Carter started her career in emergency management in 1972, teaching First Aid / Disaster Courses for the military in Okinawa and at a variety of military bases in the United States.  She founded the non-profit organization,"No Person Left Behind", which focuses on disaster planning for people with disabilities. Currently she works for FEMA as a Disability Integration Advisor and is a "Train the Trainer" instructor for Community Emergency Response Teams. (CERT)