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Emergency preparedness for people with disability
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Posted on Oct 19 2006
[I]Editor’s Note: The following are the remarks by acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez during the meeting of the Governor’s Task Force on Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Disabilities yesterday at the Governor’s Conference Room.[/I]
Governor Fitial and I have convened this task force to meet the growing need in our community to assist individuals with disabilities. Our administration policy on Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Disabilities is also in direct line with President Bush’s executive order of 2004 for the federal government. This policy underscores the importance of building a solid framework that will enable the government and private sector to include diverse populations of people with disabilities in emergency preparedness, disaster relief, and homeland security programs.
This week’s 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Hawaii brings close to home just how vulnerable we can be in a disaster. Immediately after the earthquake some of our people were desperately trying to reach family members in Hawaii to make sure they were OK. Power was knocked out, structures were damaged, and roads were blocked, but fortunately there were no fatalities. Individuals with disabilities face unique vulnerabilities in emergencies like these, and our job is to be prepared to serve them and help them prepare, as well. How will we ensure they receive disaster information such a typhoon bulletins or tsunami warnings? How can we help them adequately prepare for an emergency? How can we safely evacuate them if they are in a wheelchair or have a medical condition? What are their unique sheltering needs? The job of this task force is to answer these and other questions and to ensure procedures are in place to implement those answers. As emergency responders say, it’s not a matter of “if” a disaster strikes, it’s only a matter of “when.”
I would like to acknowledge Mr. Camacho, Special Assistant for Disability Policy and Programs, for his leadership in helping to bring this task force together. I also have full confidence in our chairman, Mr. Deleon Guerrero, and our vice chair, Mr. Tenorio, in leading this task force to the full implementation of this administration’s policy. Together, we will ensure individuals with disabilities are provided the public service and protection that are the right of every citizen of the Commonwealth.
