Disability and Communication Access Board
State of Hawaii
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Emergency Preparedness E-News
for Individuals with Disabilities and Special Health Needs
Erratum April 2010 Issue 7a
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Greetings!
This article is being resent to all subscribers to correct an error. The meeting to be conducted on May 1st by State Civil Defense is for Hawaii Association of the Blind (HAB) members only. In the original version it stated that anyone interested in the topic could attend. The meeting is being held in a space with limited capacity and will not be able to accommodate a large group. My apologies for the error. If you would like to arrange a speaker on emergency preparedness for your group, you can contact State Civil Defense at (808) 733-4300, the Disability and Communication Access Board at (808) 586-8121, or the American Red Cross at (808) 734-2101. Thank you to Ms. Phelan for informing me of the mistake so the correction could be made. Other questions or comments about this issue can be directed to me at (808) 586-8121 or e-mailed to debbra.jackson@doh.hawaii.gov.
Aloha,
Debbie Jackson
Planner
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Tsunami Readiness: A Personal Experience from a Person with a Visual Impairment
Landa and Miss Pearline | It was amazing that I was so calm, but it was because I was prepared and had a plan. This was due to State Civil Defense because I attended a preparedness meeting conducted by Danny Tengan. He came to my apartment complex, which is all seniors, and he did such a great job making us aware of what to do in case of a tsunami. He helped us decide whether we would prefer to go to a shelter or make a plan and go up to the fourth floor and take care of each other. Whatever our decision was, his presentation was a real eye opener about the importance of personal preparedness.
The first thing I did after hearing the alert last February was get my rolling suitcase from under the bed and pack a change of clothes, shoes, socks, medications, then a sleeping mat/bag, Coleman lantern, and flashlight. I also prepared a carry-on full of food, first aid kit and my water. My guide dog's bag (containing her food, blanket, etc.) was also ready. In addition, I had prepared a Coleman stove/propane, bucket and bags to line it to be used for going to the restroom, in case there were no toilet facilities. I had duct tape ready to tape my refrigerator doors. Then I unplugged all my appliances and computer, TV, etc. My food bag has a copy of my ID along with other important papers. Because I am visually impaired, I can't read the phone book so I have a check off list of things to do in my computer and a hard copy in large print packed. I was ready in less then 10 minutes, and was calm because I was prepared. This was an improvement over when Iniki hit, and I was in a state of panic.
Danny Tengan of Civil Defense will be presenting at the Hawaii Association of the Blind (HAB) meeting on May 1, 2010. This meeting is for HAB members only. For more information, contact me at (808) 341-8127 or e-mail me by clicking on my name below.
Article submitted by Landa Phelan
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