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ANNEX 7: VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

The Municipality recognizes that certain people are particularly vulnerable to the effects of a disaster. During an emergency, the Municipality will provide special care for the following persons:

·        Persons who are frail or housebound

·        Persons with disabling mental illness or conditions

·        Persons with physical disabilities, including sight or hearing limitations or mobility impairment

·        Persons who are medically fragile

Major needs of vulnerable populations may include evacuation assistance, attention to special dietary needs, and special medical care.

OPERATIONAL CONCEPTS

A.       TheMunicipality will provide emergency services without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, English proficiency, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, economic status, or any affiliation or perception thereof.

B.      The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will maintain a database of locations of vulnerable populations to be updated semiannually in coordination with local partners.

C.      Vulnerable residents living independently and identified within the OEM’s database will be encouraged to have a disaster kit that includes personal and medical information, and a list of necessary medical supplies, medications, and assistive devices.

D.     Adult day care facilities are required to establish evacuation plans, which are to be included in their all-hazards emergency plan and on file with the Municipality.

E.      The Anchorage School District will provide appropriate care for vulnerable students and staff during a disaster that occurs during school hours and may request assistance from the EOC if necessary to augment services.

F.      The Municipality will ensure that emergency notifications include methods accessible to persons with disabilities including open captioning by door-to-door notifications, mobile loudspeakers, or other available means.

G.     During a wildfire or other emergency requiring immediate evacuation, all residents needing evacuation transportation assistance will be given equal priority. Following an earthquake or other incident, where immediate danger has passed, vulnerable populations will be given priority for evacuation transportation assistance.

H.    The Municipality will make every effort not to separate users from wheelchairs, walkers, and other durable medical equipment. If a person who has been separated from their medical equipment is unable to return home, the Municipality will make every effort to retrieve or replace the equipment as quickly as possible.

I.        Agencies wishing to deliver services to vulnerable populations in evacuated or otherwise restricted areas should contact the EOC community services and public health branch to coordinate access. If conditions for limited entry are appropriate, the EOC will identify a process to expedite the travel of approved service providers.

J.        Individuals and voluntary organizations, including Neighborhood Watch, AWARE, and Citizen Corps may enhance emergency response by assisting vulnerable residents within their own neighborhoods.

K.      The Municipality will strive to meet the needs of all populations, including vulnerable populations, within each of its activated congregate care facilities.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities listed herein are not intended to be departmental checklists. Each agency will develop internal policies and procedures to perform its assigned duties. At the discretion of the incident commander not all functions may be performed and nor all agencies used.

Primary Agencies

Anchorage Office of Emergency Management / Emergency Operations Center

Health and Human Services

1. Coordinates with Public Transportation and other agencies during relocation of vulnerable populations.
2. Coordinates with emergency medical services and local hospitals to provide evacuation information and special instructions for vulnerable populations.
3. Assists the Municipality’s self-registration campaign for populations who have aging and disability-specific needs.

Public Transportation

1. Transports vulnerable populations during an emergency as directed by the EOC.
2. Ensures that accessible transportation is available to persons with disabilities to congregate care facilities or initial care centers.
3. Assists the Municipality’s self-registration campaign for populations who have aging and disability-specific needs.

Supporting Agencies

Area Hospitals

1. Assists the EOC with information about where non-resident medically fragile populations may be located.

Development Services, Building Safety Division

1. Ensures that congregate facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.

Equal Rights Commission

1. Coordinates with the Office of Emergency Management to ensure that emergency plans meet requirements of non-discrimination and public accommodation.

Municipal Light and Power

1. Maintains an inventory of households that rely on utility services for special support, including life support, and provides this information to the EOC upon request.
2. Assists the Municipality’s self-registration campaign for populations who have aging and disability-specific needs.

Police Department

1. Assists the EOC as able with identification of vulnerable populations who may need assistance during an emergency.
2. Coordinates with the EOC to assist relocation of vulnerable populations as able.

Salvation Army

1.      Assists in the provision of transportation for vulnerable populations.

School District

1. Provides care for vulnerable students and staff during a disaster that occurs during school hours.

Water and Wastewater Utility

1. Assists the Municipality’s self-registration campaign for populations who have aging and disability-specific needs.

MUTUAL AID, STATE AND FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

All state and federal assistance is coordinated through the State Emergency Coordination Center. 

The State of Alaska Assisted Living program can provide the EOC with information about its licensed facilities where vulnerable populations may be located.

The Third Wing Medical Group at Elmendorf Air Force Base operates two air transportable hospitals and can augment transportation of medically fragile persons.

APPENDICES AND REFERENCES

Anchorage Emergency Operations Plan, Annex 1: Evacuation

Anchorage Emergency Operations Plan, Annex 3: Congregate Care

Anchorage Emergency Operations Plan, Annex 8: Behavioral Health

AMC 05.20 Unlawful Discrimination

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

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