Emergency Preparedness . . . In Case There is No Yellow Brick Road

Who doesn’t like the story of the Wizard of Oz? But for generations now this tale has sugar coated the aftermath of a disaster, much as Disney’s Mickey Mouse has gentrified the household rodent. Dorothy is lifted from the security and comfort of her Kansas home and lands in a magical place with colorful characters, 3 interesting companions and a yellow brick road to guide her. Then, in an ending made for Hollywood, she clicks the heels of her red shoes, repeats some magic words, and wakes up safe and sound in her beloved home.
Unfortunately, as we witnessed most recently with Hurricane Sandy, real-life disasters can take a terrible toll in human lives, possessions and the course of life stories. Particularly vulnerable during such emergencies are the frail elderly and people with disabilities. In Cape May County, state, county and local groups are always working behind the scenes to ensure that in an emergency this at-risk population is identified and adequately planned for. But in a major disaster, a successful evacuation will also depend on these special needs individuals and their caregivers taking personal responsibility for emergency preparedness planning.
If you have put off such planning or if your emergency plan hasn’t been revisited in quite a while, you’ll be glad to know that the New Jersey Division of Disability Services is bringing down to our county an excellent interactive training workshop to help people with disabilities, their caregivers, family and friends to prepare for emergencies. Co-hosted by the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management and the county Department of Aging & Disability Services, this FREE WORKSHOP is being held on July 28 from noon to 2 p.m. at the county Public Safety Training Center, 171 Crest Haven Road, Court House.
Those who go to this workshop will learn how to develop a simple emergency plan and how to find organizations and resources that help people with disabilities prepare for emergencies. There will be an opportunity to get answers from the experts about how to prepare for emergencies and disasters, and attendees will receive a free disaster kit valued at $50. If you require any special accommodation to participate, you’ll have an opportunity to make that request up to 2 weeks before the event.
The timing couldn’t be better for a workshop on emergency preparedness. Although we are surrounded by the beauty of the summer season, we know only too well that there is also the potential for hurricane activity at this time of year. If you are a person with a disability or a caregiver, consider taking advantage of this unique opportunity to develop or update your emergency plan. This could well be the most important 2 hours you spend during these lazy days of summer.
Registration is required. Call the Cape May County Department of Aging & Disability Services (609-886-2784) to reserve a place in the workshop. The Public Safety Training Center is a fully-accessible facility, but if any special accommodations are required, make that request by July 14 at the latest.
For those who can’t come on July 28, the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management, headed by Martin Pagliughi, is an ongoing source of guidance on emergency preparedness and can be reached at 609-463-6570. The Cape May County Department of Aging & Disability Services (609-886-2784) will also be glad to supply emergency preparedness information for individuals with special needs.
DID YOU KNOW??
“Emergency Preparedness: What You Should Know”, an interactive training workshop for people with disabilities, their caregivers, families and friends, is being held on Monday, July 28th from 12 noon to 2 pm at the County Public Safety Training Center on Crest Haven Road in Cape May Court House. Attendees will receive a free backpack disaster kit valued at $50. To register, call Paulann Pierson at 609-886-2784. This event is sponsored by the NJ Division of Disability Services and co-hosted by the County Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Aging and Disability Services, with the support of the County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Free skin cancer screenings sponsored by the Cape May County Health Department will be offered in Cape May at Convention Hall on Saturday, July 12th from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Free skin care information and sun screen samples will be available at this event. No registration required. For more information contact Dick Colosi at 609-463-6521 or rcolosi@co.cape-may.nj.us.
Pierson writes from the Cape May County Department of Aging and Disability Services