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Addressing the Needs of Vulnerable
Populations During an Evacuation
Vulnerable populations, including
older adults, children, and those with a disability, face unique challenges
during an emergency. For the Central Nebraska MRC, this became particularly
apparent three years ago when a local assisted living facility experienced a
fire and needed to evacuate residents.
“We put together a committee that included those who work at nursing
homes and with elderly populations to understand the needs and how we could
respond to such incidents,” said Unit Coordinator Ron Pughes.
The result is the unit’s newest initiative: VIPER (Vulnerable Identified
Population Evacuation Response). Expected to be deployable by April of this
year, VIPER includes supplies and equipment; procedures and deployment
processes; training; and response capabilities for the unit’s volunteers to
assist vulnerable populations during an emergency.
If, for example an assisted living facility needed to be evacuated, the Central
Nebraska MRC would be ready to assist those that the fire department
transports out of the facility. This includes providing walkers, wheelchairs,
ramps, life vests, and rope to serve as guidelines to help safely evacuate
residents. Blankets, clothing, hygiene kits, and heaters would help to make
residents comfortable and things like patient belongings bags to help ensure
that valued keepsakes stay safely with residents.  All of this equipment is stored in a dedicated 8’ x 20’
trailer with shelves, bins, and hooks to organize equipment and supplies.
Included is a 33’ x 16’ inflatable no-step tent that can be set up by four
people within 15 minutes.
“This is designed to serve as an interim shelter while Red Cross or other
entities set something else up,” said Pughes. “It’s designed to provide
compassionate comfort during a 6-to-8 hour sheltering response.”
To build out this initiative, the unit received a $14,000 grant from
Nebraska’s Citizen Corps program. Those funds were primarily used to purchase
supplies. The trailer, high-wheeled stretchers, and some supplies were
donated from area groups including the fire department and health
department.
In addition to training its members to respond under this initiative, the
unit hopes to host a multi-agency training exercise. The unit will also work
with nursing homes and other facilities to review emergency response plans.
View the Central Nebraska MRC’s deployment readiness guide for VIPER.
See additional resources to
support vulnerable populations during an emergency:
Congratulations to
the Bainbridge Island MRC
Last month, the Bainbridge Island
MRC (WA) was awarded "Volunteer Organization of the Year" by the
International Association of Emergency Managers. This honor is a
testament to the activities of Bainbridge Prepares and the MRC as well as its
ability to leverage and enhance partnerships with other organizations.
The MRC and Bainbridge Prepares is one leg of a primary three-way partnership
between the City of Bainbridge Island and the Bainbridge Island Fire
Department. That partnership foundation means the MRC is key to emergency
response plans and missions, and allows the unit to also support many, many
other communities outside of the island.
Do you have good news to share
about your unit? Send details to mrc@naccho.org
for recognition in an upcoming newsletter.
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