Emergency Preparedness for Farmers, Ranchers and other Rural Residents with Disabilities

National AgrAbility ProjectPurdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IN

• AgrAbility: USDA-sponsored program that assists farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities.– Partners land grant universities with disability

services organizations– Currently 23 projects covering 25 states– More information available at www.agrability.org

Participants and Contributors• Paul Jones, Manager, National AgrAbility Project• Bill Field, Professor, Purdue University• Steve Wettschurack, Agricultural Rescue Training

Specialist, Purdue University• Gail Deboy, Project Engineer, National AgrAbility

Project• Kate Cook, Writer/Editor, Purdue University• Cliff Racz, IT Specialist, National AgrAbility Project

Produced by: National AgrAbility Project Under USDA/NIFS Agreement No. 2008-41590-04796

Purpose

The purpose of this presentation will be to begin a dialogue on the topic of emergency management for farm and ranch families and other rural residents who may have greater vulnerabilities during natural or manmade disasters due to physical disabilities or mental/behavioral health issues. This session will cover the first components of basic emergency management, preparedness.

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Purpose

It is hoped that this session will result in other AgrAbility activities that will explore the application of current emergency management strategies to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities living in rural America.

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Desired OutcomesAt the completion of this presentation, participants should be able to:1. Explain the importance of the agricultural

sector and rural communities to the national well-being.

2. Describe the scope and nature of disability within the farm, ranch, and rural population.

3. Identify the most common threats and consequences to the security of persons with disabilities living in rural communities.

Desired Outcomes

4. Describe the unique characteristics of rural life that may present increased vulnerabilities to residents with physical or mental health issues.

5. Identify the assets of rural life that may enhance the security of persons with disabilities living in rural communities.

6. Identify the basic emergency management issues that may develop for individuals with disabilities living in rural communities.

Desired Outcomes

7. Describe basic emergency preparedness measures needed to enhance the resiliency of persons with disabilities living in rural communities.

8. Apply emergency management principles to specific case studies.

9. Identify key resources that would benefit persons with disabilities living in rural communities.

Basic Assumptions

1. The audience today is highly diverse. We will try to limit the use of terms and acronyms that may be familiar to many in emergency management, but new to those outside the profession.

2. Many of you know more about the specifics of emergency management at a state or national level, or from personal experience, than we do. Your contributions are welcome.

Basic Assumptions

3. Many issues related to providing emergency management services to underserved rural citizens goes beyond the scope of this session. There will never be enough money, personnel, or motivation to meet everyone’s needs during times of disaster.

4. Everyone is vulnerable to risk of loss or the potential of being impacted by natural or man-made disasters. There are no safe places, leaders, or policies that can ensure absolute security.

Basic Assumptions

5. Disasters are not partial to or respecters of persons, even if part of protected classes, such as persons with disabilities.

6. Homeland security begins at home and every individual and family, to the extent possible, is responsible to contribute to their resiliency during times of disaster.

7. No one should assume the government can solve everyone’s problems.

Setting the Stage

Ed Bell’s StoryA lesson in the value of emergency

preparedness

Content1. Agriculture is identified as the first of 18 sectors of the

National Critical Infrastructure Protection Plan in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7

1.1 Almost entirely under private ownership.1.2 Composed of about 2.1 million individually owned farms,

ranches, and other sites.1.3 Accounts for one-fifth of the nation’s economic activity.1.4 Highly dispersed with low population density.1.5 Highly decentralized with respect to governmental and

regulatory control and emergency services.1.6 Located in areas that historically have had few medical and

emergency response services.

FEMA/Michael Rieger

2. Incidents of disability within the farm, ranch, and rural population are the same or possibly higher than urban settings

2.1 An estimated 1.04-2.23 million individuals with disabilities live or work on farms and ranches.

2.2 Some studies show up to 24% of the farm population have physical disabilities.

2.3 Approximately 19% are unable to perform certain daily essential tasks.

2.4 The average age of farm operators is 59.2.5 Over 17% of farmers and ranchers are over

65 years of age. 2.6 Frequency of traumatic injury is higher than

the general population.2.7 There is a higher percentage of mental/

behavioral health-related disabilities.2.8 Rural communities, in general, have a

disproportionate share of individuals who are older, affected by disability, and have fewer economic resources.

3. Placing rural disability issues within the risk management framework—determining asset risks (threats, consequences, vulnerabilities)

3.1 Most common threats• Tornados• Floods• Winter storms (cold, snow, high winds)• Wildfires• Temperature extremes• Dust storms• Criminal activity/Agroterrorism• Crop and livestock diseases

FEMA/Leif Skoogfors

Tornados

FEMA/Win Henderson

Floods

FEMA/Andrea Booher

Winter Storms

FEMA/Liz Roll

Wildfires

FEMA/Bryan Dahlberg

3.2 Consequences• Loss of livelihoods (crops and livestock)• Loss of communications• Loss of basic services (water, electricity)• Deterioration of existing health conditions• Inability to travel• Loss of housing• Secondary conditions

FEMA/Bryan Dahlberg

4. Characteristics of rural life that may increase vulnerabilities

4.1 Isolation4.2 Travel/response time4.3 Quantity and quality of emergency services4.4 Limited emergency management planning4.5 Lack of resources4.6 Lack of accessible services and facilities4.7 Almost complete absence of mental/

behavioral health services4.8 Lower awareness and sensitivity concerning

disability issuesFEMA/Ed Edahl

5. Unique assets of rural life that may enhance resiliency during times of crisis

5.1 Fewer high profile targets (everyone loves farmers)

5.2 Historical emphasis on preparedness because of necessity (backup power, snowmobiles, food stocks, boats, snow removal equipment)

5.3 Enhanced networking in place (volunteer/paid fire departments and EMS, existing farm and rural organizations, rural churches)

5.4 Volunteer spirit may be more present5.5 Overall there may be a higher level of natural

resiliency in many rural communities

6. Emergency management issues that may arise for persons with disabilities living in rural communities

6.1 Emergency services becoming inaccessible6.2 Loss of essential services (life support system,

dialysis services, accessible communications)6.3 Low participation in peer support activities6.4 Lack of recovery services6.5 Few sources of replacement assistive

technology6.6 Overly independent character/reluctant to

seek assistanceFEMA/Patsy Lynch

7. Basic emergency management preparedness measures7.1 Developing an emergency management plan• Pre-identified meeting place• Evacuation plan• External contact point7.2 Stock pile seven days of essential supplies• Medications• Special diet needs7.3 Utilize E-911 or Reverse 911 if available• Identify special needs• Medical identification bracelets7.4 Form a peer support network if there are special needs7.5 Establish special needs, medical, warming/cooling shelters7.6 Develop a Neighborhood Watch and other connections• Meals on Wheels• Postal service alerts• Utility company alerts

FEMA/Jocelyn Augustino

8. Applications of emergency management principles to specific case studies

8.1 Surrounded by a wild fire8.2 Caught in a snow storm

FEMA/Andrea Booher

9. Key Resources9.1 Rural resources• County Extension Services• Local Emergency Planning Agencies• Peer support groups• Area Agencies on Aging• Churches• Other Non-Governmental Organizations

FEMA/Michael Rieger

9.2 Web-based resources• National AgrAbility Project: agrability.org• Rural Caregivers: ruralcare.info• Federal Disability Resource: disability.gov• County Extension Service: eden.lsu.edu• American Red Cross: redcross.org• National Organization on Disability: nod.org• Federal Emergency Management: fema.gov• U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security: ready.gov• Independent Living Resource Center: ilrcsf.org• National Fire Protection Association: nfpa.org• Survey link for future events on this topic

https://purdue.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_eOS5uvmowu0PIagFEMA/Michael Rieger

Questions

FEMA/Jocelyn Augustino