Thanks to the dauntless coordination efforts of Ann Weisent, ODMRDD Review Manager and member of the agency's Safety Commit­tee, and, thanks to the marvelous synergy of a random conversation, Ohio's National Emergency Preparedness Month (October) campaign developed into a unique opportu­nity for improving the safety of individuals with disabilities, statewide.

Following an introduction to the state's plans for National Preparedness Month via the Ohio Dept. of Public Safety (ODPS), repre­sentatives from ODMRDD Constituent Services shared the wealth of information with Weisent, who promptly suggested that it would be an excellent project for the Safety Committee and the regional represen­tatives of the six ODMRDD regions.

A random conversation on the subject between Patrick Lanahan, ODMRDD Deputy Director, Special Projects, and Sherry Steinman, Public Information Officer, prompted Lanahan to contact Jackie Bowling, Superintendent at Vinton County MRDD, to see if they were interested in making some Preparedness Kits. "They needed a project for their workshop and it sounded like a good fit to me," said Patrick, as he instantly thought of ten other good ideas to go along with it.

They're Getting Prepared in Vinton County -- Kit Makers (L-R): Tammy Stapleton, Habilitation Specialist; Alva Mount, Stacker; Amber Radune, Quality Assurance; Tonya Brickles, Assembly; Jenessa Meadows, Assembly.

 

 

Vinton County staff, being the resourceful souls they are, pulled together an amazing array of donated and nearly-donated items in quantity for the Kits, and it wasn't long before a few dozen kits were prepared and shipped to Ann Weisent for distribution.

 

By then, Ann and her group of Safety Com­mittee staff and regional trainers, had arranged for free trainings, to be held in each of the six ODMRDD Regions throughout the state, for people receiving MRDD services, their provid­ers, and related staff.

 

Janessa Meadows,Assembly, readies one ofthe well-stocked kits.

 

In addition to instructional videos and printed presentation materials, a few participants to review contents and discuss how they might personalize their kit to include specific items that they may need in an emergency.

During a presentation held in Region 5, at Mount Vernon Developmental Center, ODMRDD Review Manager, Ann Weisent, explained, “ You might even think about making two of these for yourself. One for your basement or safe-area in your home, and the second to keep in a vehicle you would be using in the event of an evacuation. ”

The ‘Ready’ campaign promoted activities that encouraged indi­viduals to have an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different threats that may affect them, as well as take steps to get trained and engaged in community preparedness and response efforts. "We saw a great deal of interest this first time around, and I especially liked the idea of discussing a Preparedness Plan within a person's annual overall Individual Service Plan activity.

I heard one gentleman say to a staff person on the way out of the training, 'I want a Preparedness Plan!' I hope to build on this foundation next year, for improved Emergency Preparedness geared to the people we serve," notes Ann.

ODMRDD National Preparedness Month activities organizer, Ann Weisent, kept good company with Ohio's First Lady, and Henry Guzman, of ODPS.

ODMRDD’s overall efforts in reaching people with disabilities with preparedness information targeted to their needs has been highlighted on the National Department of Homeland Security (DHS) weblog at http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/index.html

Click Here To Purchase Your Own Disaster Preparedness Kit Today

This article was found in the Winter 2007 Edition of the Pipeline Quarterly Published by the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities

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The ODMRDD’s Winter 2007 Pipeline Quarterly