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State of Hawaii
October/November 2013
  Issue 34
Timothy Renken at Ewa Beach Fair
Emergency Preparedness E-News

for People with Disabilities and other Access and Functional Needs
Recent Activities
 

On Saturday, September 7, 2013, the City and County of Honolulu sponsored two (2) emergency preparedness events: (1) First Responders Fair held on the grounds of Honolulu Hale, and (2) the third annual Emergency Preparedness Fair hosted by the Ewa Beach Emergency Preparedness Committee at the Ewa Makai Middle School.  

The First Responders Fair showcased the Honolulu Police, Fire, Emergency Services and Emergency Management Departments. Visitors could see a fire truck, ambulance, and other emergency vehicles up close and learn about the people who are first dispatched to save lives and protect Oahu residents during an emergency.

The Emergency Preparedness Fair at the Ewa Makai Middle School was also an exciting and well attended event. There were approximately one thousand (1,000) people who attended. The exhibit booths all offered information about how to prepare for an emergency, such as a hurricane. DCAB had a booth next to the University of Hawaii's Center on Disability Studies and American Red Cross, Hawaii Chapter.

We talked with many people and made them aware that almost every family has a member with a disability or person with access and functional needs to be included in the planning and preparations for emergencies.

It is exciting to see how each community is working and preparing for events that could happen in their specific area. Informing the public about what to do can only make our response time to an emergency shorter with better preparations completed ahead of time. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to meet and visit with you during these brief community events. Also, a big mahalo to the City and County's Department of Emergency Management for making these educational events possible. The sponsors of the events were also wonderful. Many donated items for individuals to collect and include in their emergency Go-Kits! What a great way for people to get started building their kits!

American Red Cross Volunteers
Until the next issue,
 
Debbie Jackson
Planner
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ShakeOutThe Great Hawaii ShakeOut
Person moving toward, getting under & holding on to table legs
At 10:17 A.M. on October 17, 2013, thousands of Hawaii residents will "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in the Great Hawaii ShakeOut, the state's largest earthquake drill ever! All state government agencies and departments are encouraged to participate in the drill (or plan a more extensive exercise).

 

Major earthquakes may happen anywhere you live, work, or travel. The ShakeOut is our chance to practice how to protect ourselves, and for everyone to become prepared. The goal is to prevent a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe for you, your organization, and your community.

Why is a "Drop, Cover and Hold On' drill important? To respond quickly you must practice often. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake before strong shaking knocks you down, or something falls on you.

Millions of people worldwide have participated in Great ShakeOut Earthquake since 2008. The Great Hawaii ShakeOut is now held on the third Thursday of October each year.

Everyone can participate! Individuals, families, businesses, schools, colleges, government agencies and organizations are all invited to register.

Here are a few suggestions for how state government departments and agencies can participate. More information is at ShakeOut.org/Hawaii/.
 

Plan Your Drill:

  • Register at ShakeOut.org/hawaii/register to be counted as participating, get e-mail updates, and more.
  • Download a Drill Broadcast recording from ShakeOut.org/hawaii/drill/broadcast.
  • Have a "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" drill at 10:17 a.m. on October 17. You may also want to coordinate a more extensive exercise of your emergency plan.
  • Discuss what you learned and make improvements.

Get Prepared for Earthquakes:

  • Secure building contents with seismic restraints.
  • Encourage employees to prepare at home.
  • Be sure there are fresh, accessible supplies to support your personnel while they manage event.
  • Provide CERT training for employees.

Share the ShakeOut:

  • Encourage everyone to ask their friends, families, neighbors, businesses and non-profits to register.
  • Include ShakeOut messaging in routine activities, and add a link to ShakeOut.org from your website.
  • Find posters, flyers, and other materials for promoting ShakeOut at ShakeOut.org/hawaii/resources.
  • Share photos and stories of your drill at ShakeOut.org/hawaii/share
SafetyActionsRecommended Earthquake Safety Actions
Earthquake icon with ground cracking
Federal, State, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes. Great ShakeOut earthquake drills (www.shakeout.org) are opportunities to practice how to protect ourselves during earthquakes.
 
You cannot tell from the initial shaking if an earthquake will suddenly become intense...so always Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately!
  • DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
  • Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
  • HOLD ON
If there is no table or desk near you, drop to the ground and then if possible move to an inside corner of the room. Be in a crawling position to protect your vital organs and be ready to move if necessary, and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.

Do not move to another location or outside. Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl. You are more likely to be injured if you try to move around during strong shaking. Also, you will never know if the initial jolt will turn out to be the start of the big one...and that's why you should always Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately.

These are guidelines for most situations. Read below to learn how to protect yourself in other situations and locations, or visit www.dropcoverholdon.org

If you are unable to Drop, Cover, and Hold On: If you have difficulty getting safely to the floor on your own, get as low as possible, protect your head and neck, and move away from windows or other items that can fall on you.

In a wheelchair: Lock your wheels and remain seated until the shaking stops. Always protect your head and neck with your arms, a pillow, a book or whatever is available.

In bed: If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured staying where you are, Broken glass on the floor has caused injury to those who have rolled to the floor or tried to get to the doorways.

In a high-rise: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Avoid windows and other hazards. Do not use the elevators. Do not be surprised if sprinkler systems or fire alarms activate.

In a store: When shaking starts, Drop, Cover, and Hold On. A shopping cart or getting inside clothing racks can provide some protection, If you must move to get away from heavy items on high shelves, drop to the ground first and crawl only the shortest distance necessary. Whenever you enter any retail store, take a moment to look around: What is above or around you that could move or fall during an earthquake? Then use your best judgement to stay safe.

Outdoors: Move to a clear area if you can safely do so; avoid power lines, trees, signs, buildings, vehicles, and other hazards.

Driving: Pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards, Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over. If a power line falls on the car, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.

In a stadium or theater: Stay at your seat or drop to the floor between the rows and protect your head and neck with your arms. Don't try to leave until the shaking is over. Then walk out slowly watching for anything that could fall in the aftershocks.

Near the shore: Drop, Cover, and Hold On until the shaking stops. If severe shaking lasts twenty (20) seconds or more, immediately evacuate to high ground as a tsunami might have been generated by the earthquake. Move inland two (2) miles or to land that is at least one hundred (100) feet above sea level immediately. Don't wait for officials to issue a warning. Walk quickly, away rather than drive, to avoid traffic, debris and other hazards.

Below a dam: Dams can fail during a major earthquake. Catastrophic failure is unlikely but if you live downstream from a dam, you should know the flood-zone information and have prepared an evacuation plan.

More information:


Earthquake Country Alliance
9/15/12
EcodevwebDisaster Preparedness & Economic Recovery
Webinar Series Logo
This is an eight-part webinar series that provides information on key topics in disaster preparedness and economic recovery for economic development organizations and chambers of commerce. Each seminar hosts economic recovery practitioners with real world experience and leadership in the subject matter. Each seminar will feature efforts made in disaster impacted communities. Attend these interactive sessions to learn how your organization can be better equipped to handle a major disruption - whether caused by nature or manmade events.

Each webinar consists of two (2) parts - a full hour of instruction by speakers followed by a thirty (30) minute question and answer period. The webinars are offered at no-cost, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).

 

The October and November 2013 schedule is:

How to Successfully Collaborate with Federal Partners in Disaster Recovery
October 28, 2013
2:30 - 4:00 P.M.

The federal government is a significant resource for disaster preparedness and post-disaster economic recovery. Yet, navigating the labyrinth of various agencies, programs and requirements can be an intimidating process. This webinar is designed to help economic developers understand how to more effectively access disaster recovery resources in the federal system. It will also provide highlights and tips from actual disaster recovery professionals on how to maximize available federal government resources and address potential roadblocks along the way to recovery.

During this webinar, attendees will:
  • Learn about the various federal tools and programs to assist in economic recovery and how local economic development interests can more effectively use these federal resources
  • Learn about the federal government's new National Disaster Recovery Framework
  • Learn how the federal government interacts with and assists state and local recovery stakeholders
Speakers:
  • Jeff Finkle, President & CEO, International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
  • Jon Mabry, Chief Operating Officer, Mississippi Disaster Recovery Programs, Mississippi Development Authority (MDA)

Transitioning Skills to New Market Realities - Developing Workforce Training Programs in Disaster-Impacted Communities 

November 2013

 

Attendees will learn about developing and implementing workforce training programs after a major disaster to assist impacted residents. Learn about the process to identify needed skills to address business needs and changing market realities. The session will also cover the key partners and resources to help make the training program a success.

 

Instructions and Technology

Instructions and dial-in information will be sent up to three days in advance and a minimum of two times. If you do not receive an email from IEDC or GoToWebinar 24 hours prior to the start of the web seminar, it is your responsibility to email [email protected]. No refunds or credits will be given for not receiving the dial-in information for the webinar.  

To participate in the webinar you must first create an account at the International Economic Development Council, then wait for your e-mail confirmation and then register for the webinar.
HEPHSWHawaii Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security Workshop
hands of people of different races stacked together

The Hawaii Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security Workshop is a two and a half day (2 1/2) event to be held at the Hawaii Convention Center. A select group of people from all levels of government and the private sector will be in attendance as well as key speakers in emergency management. The event is scheduled for October 21 through October 23, 2013. Monday and Tuesday the agenda goes from 7:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. and on Wednesday from 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

 

The goal of the workshop is to help establish new partnerships, develop innovative strategies, cultivate civic preparedness and enhance your community's resiliency from disasters. Attendees will receive accurate and up-to-date information about emergency preparedness and homeland security.

 

Featured speakers include: Governor Neil Abercrombie, Major General Darryll Wong, Doug Mayne, Supervisory Special Agent Ed Arias, Special Agent Earl Asato, Brian Calkin,  Sr. Pastor Allen Cardines, Jr., William Carwille, Toby Clairmont, Michael Chatman, Chris Duque, Burton Greene, Dr. Erin Hughley, Cindy Iha, Jodi Ito, Laura Iwan, Debbra Jackson, Kenoe Kali, Maria Lutz, Sharon Miehlbrecht, Ken Newman, Dr. Sarah Park, Michael Sevier, Marilyn Shigtani, and Claudia Tomasa.

 

For more information about the workshop visit http://hephsw.hawaii.gov/index.htm. 

Contact Information:                                                                      
 
Color State Seal of Hawaii
Disability and Communication Access Board                                    
       
919 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 101
Honolulu, HI 96814
Phone: (808) 586-8121 (V/TTY)
FAX: (808) 586-8129
E-mail:  DCAB General Delivery
Website: DCAB Home Page

Call toll free from Neighbor Islands:
County of Hawaii:  (808) 974-4000, ext. 6-8121#
County of Kauai:   (808) 274-3141, ext. 6-8121#
County of Maui:    (808) 984-2400, ext. 6-8121#
Molokai & Lanai:   1-800-468-4644, ext. 6-8121#