Disaster Planning for Children and Families
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Transcript of Disaster Planning for Children and Families
Disaster Planning for Children Disaster Planning for Children and Familiesand Families
Lou Romig MD, FAAP, FACEPLou Romig MD, FAAP, FACEPMiami Children’s HospitalMiami Children’s Hospital
FL-5 DMATFL-5 DMAT
Best practices?Best practices?
We’re getting practice We’ve got little data Every practice setting is different
Just like kids, no plan or policy fits all.
Getting a gripGetting a grip
The 9-11 attacks, Katrina and the threat of pandemic flu have skewed our planning processes
The basics must be tackled first and addressed with solid plans.
For children, there’s nothing more basic than familyfamily.
You don’t You don’t need a need a distinct distinct
Pediatric Pediatric Plan if Plan if you…you…
Empower and supportEmpower and support FamiliesFamilies
Family IssuesFamily Issues
Every day can be a disaster
Strengthen critical community infrastructure to meet the daily needs of children and their caregivers
Family IssuesFamily Issues
The family is the strongest unit of survival Personal identification
• On each person• Family records• Centralized records (photos,
fingerprints, DNA)
Family IssuesFamily Issues
The family is the strongest unit of survival Family identification
• Begin data collection and identification at the time of first contact with the response system
• Develop family identifiers (photos, unique numbers, barcodes)
Family IssuesFamily Issues
The family is the strongest unit of survival Keep families together
• Shelter families together• Evacuate families together• Take the time to do it right • Optimize existing resources to
assist with record-keeping and planning
Family IssuesFamily Issues
The family is the strongest unit of survival Reunification in family planning
• School and workplace plans• Rendezvous points• Communication plans• Identifying materials as a part of
evacuation supplies
Family IssuesFamily Issues The family is the strongest unit
of survival Reunification planning by
agencies• Assist with integration of
documentation systems across agencies
• Support appropriate identification record programs
• Work with reunification agencies and programs before a disaster occurs
Family IssuesFamily Issues Family disaster preparedness
isn’t cheap Encourage preparedness incentives
• Insurance discounts• Tax-free days, tax credits(?)
Expand funding programs to help pay for supplies/equipment
• Medications/Medical goods• Food/formula• Batteries, flashlights, etc
Community service projects addressing family preparedness
Disaster SheltersDisaster Shelters
Family-friendlyFamily-safeFamily-functional
Family IssuesFamily Issues
Family-friendly shelters Allow families to remain
together and care for each other Plans consider the special
needs of children• Food• Supplies• Hygiene• Activities• Psychological support
Family IssuesFamily Issues
Family-safe shelters Healthy environment
• Smoke free• Drug/alcohol free
Safety and security• “Child-proofing”• Supervision• Exit/internal security• Ability to isolate children from
disturbing situations
Family IssuesFamily Issues
Family-functional shelters Information center Recovery resources available Access to communication resources Access to medical care/resources Child care/supervision
• Organize shelter occupants to assist• Utilize community child care workers• Utilize community mental health/child
life resources for therapeutic play and psychological guidance for families
Family IssuesFamily Issues
Psychology: Strength vs. scarring A culture of disaster
preparedness Make disaster preparedness a
part of the way we bring up our children• “Duck and cover”
Information about pediatric disaster Information about pediatric disaster psychology is abundant.psychology is abundant.
Pediatric mental health programs are not.Pediatric mental health programs are not.
Family IssuesFamily Issues
Psychology: Strength vs. scarring Parents/caregivers School personnel Primary medical care providers Disaster responders
Advocate for stronger mental health systems.
Pediatric and Family Disaster Pediatric and Family Disaster Planning ResourcesPlanning Resources
Experienced parents Family representatives
School-based parent groups Parents of children with disabilities and
special medical/psychological needs
Primary care medical practitioners and professional organizations
Mental health professionals State EMS for Children programs
Pediatric and Family Disaster Pediatric and Family Disaster Planning ResourcesPlanning Resources
Pediatric Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness: A Resource for Pediatricians
www.ahrq.gov/research/pedprep/resource.htm
American Academy of Pediatrics “Children and Disasters” website
www.aap.org/terrorism
Columbia University National Center for Disaster Preparedness website
www.pediatricpreparedness.org/
Pediatric and Family Disaster Pediatric and Family Disaster Planning ResourcesPlanning Resources
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies Disaster Planning Initiative
www.naccrra.org/disaster/
National Advisory Committee on Children and Terrorism Recommendations to the Secretary
www.bt.cdc.gov/children/recommend.asp
HRSA/MCHB EMS for Children Program website
http://bolivia.hrsa.gov/emsc/
Pediatric and Family Disaster Pediatric and Family Disaster Planning ResourcesPlanning Resources
FEMA for Kids websitewww.fema.gov/kids
Ready Kids websitewww.ready.gov/kids
JumpSTART websitewww.jumpstarttriage.com
Challenges to YouChallenges to You
Focus on the basics Focus on families Think like a parent Empower the caregivers to give
the care
Challenges to YouChallenges to You
Recruit the help of child and family advocates
Use the knowledge and experience of others
Collect data!