Disaster Recovery Group Reviews Disability Procedures

In the case of emergency evacuation and temporary shelter, what is the most efficient and safest procedure to assist a blind individual and their service dog?  Or a paraplegic who uses a wheelchair for mobilization?  The Franklin County Emergency Management Agency (FCEMA) recently enlisted the expertise of Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) to address these concerns. 

In a blind simulation exercise, HILC’s Executive Director 

Pat Chambers  verbally leads FCEMA’s Director Abe 

Cook 

through an obstacle course.  Looking on are 

Stephanie 

Hulsey, FCEMA Administrator (left,) and Dian 

Becker, 

Communications Supervisor for the Pacific Police 

Department.

“Rather than fumble around losing precious time and possibly making the situation worse, we want to know ahead of time the safest and quickest way to help remove a disabled individual from harm’s way in a disaster,” says FCEMA Director Abraham Cook.  “Since HILC is well-versed in services for the disabled, we asked them for a crash course.”

Two HILC representatives with disabilities demonstrated firsthand accounts of what their individual needs might be in case of evacuation or temporary shelter.  Mark Hulsey, HILC Board of Directors President, is a paraplegic.  He demonstrated how the electronic wheelchair operates, under what circumstances to use auto vs. manual controls, and how best to transfer an individual with paralysis to and from a wheelchair or a bed.  He also pointed out that body positioning is important as pressure points can cause major problems within 30 minutes.

Marcie Wallace, who works as the Braille transcriptionist for HILC, has been blind since birth.  Her service dog, Porter, is always at her side acting as her eyes.  Wallace’s first concern was for her loyal companion, Porter.  She explained that although in an emergency things might tend to get hectic, addressing her and Porter in a calm, clear and concise manner would keep them both focused.  She also explained that when a service dog is in harness, he is the leader.  When evacuating, address the dog by his name followed by “heel” and lead him by the leash so he will follow, but make sure to retrieve the harness as well.

HILC’s Disability Awareness Education program was developed to help children understand and respect individuals with disabilities.  Studies have shown that the more children know about disabilities, the more likely they are to accept the individual, and the less likely they are to bully them. The program is presented to elementary school students throughout HILC’s east central Missouri service area.  HILC has recently expanded the program for adult consumers as well such as emergency or first responders. 

From left: Stephanie Hulsey, FCEMA Administrator;  Laura Willhite, HILC Administrative Assistant;  Dian Becker, Pacific Police Department Communications Supervisor;  Pat Chambers, HILC Executive Director; Mark Hulsey, HILC Board of Director’s President;  Maggie Brooks, HILC CDS Specialist;  Abraham Cook, FCEMA Director;  and Marcie Wallace, HILC Braille Transcriptionist with service dog Porter.