Inclusive Disaster Response and Preparedness

Disclaimer

Throughout the MPA process, more than 100 proposals were developed thanks in particular to thousands of hours of work by external stakeholders and members of the public. These proposals and the MPA Council commentary are being submitted to the Governor and shared with policymakers and the public to inform policymaking. These proposals represent a starting point for discussion. Further discussion is necessary between relevant state agencies and stakeholders to both refine these proposals and assess which may be appropriate to adopt and implement.

Summary

Enhance and promote New York State’s disaster preparedness and response education opportunities. This proposal includes recommendations to promote the Citizens Preparedness Corp trainings and strategies for identifying and developing best practices for assisting older adults and those with access and functional needs during disasters, emergencies, and infectious disease outbreaks.

Justification

Older adults are disproportionately impacted when disaster strikes and often face challenges obtaining necessary resources and assistance. Focused disaster response and preparedness education will better prepare older adults and their caregivers for future disasters and infectious disease outbreaks. New York State should ensure that those with access and functional needs and underserved communities are accounted for in their emergency disaster plans to mitigate adverse outcomes. Timely response may provide life-saving efforts to those most implicated by disasters.

Full Proposal

To ensure that disaster response systems consider the particular needs of older adults and people with access and functional needs, this proposal would:

Require the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), along with state agency partners, to enhance and promote New York State’s disaster preparedness and response education opportunities. Efforts will be focused on educating the public on disaster and infectious disease preparedness, response, and the promotion of the Citizens Preparedness Corp trainings as a resource to the public, communities, governmental, and non-governmental partners.

Work with local municipalities and emergency managers to ensure they are capturing older adults and those with access and functional needs in their emergency management disaster plans, pursuant to Section 23 of the Executive Law.

• The state would provide guidance on which individuals are considered to have access and functional needs for the purposes of life saving/sustaining needs during disaster/emergency preparedness and response. This will include:
• People who have:
  • Developmental/intellectual/cognitive disabilities.
    • Physical disabilities.
    • Chronic conditions or injuries.
    • Limited English proficiency/non-English speaking.
    • To rely on lifesaving medical devices, service animals, and equipment including crutches and wheelchairs.
  • Older adults.
  • Children under the age of 18.
  • People living in institutionalized settings.
• People who are:
  • Low-income.
  • Unhoused
  • Transportation disadvantaged/dependent on public transit.
  • Pregnant.
  • Living in multi-generational households.

Ensure that state agencies require their contractors/grantees to develop best practices for older adults and those with access and functional needs and underserved communities during disasters and emergencies. 

Engage DOS’s Smart Growth Division, Building Codes Divisions and Climate Resiliency Unit to include these elements in municipal and countywide resiliency planning. 

MPA Council Commentary

This proposal is categorized as near-term and is currently being implemented at the DHSES.