Welcome to IDEA EM

A Message from the Commissioner

Dear Colleagues,

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), sponsored by the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) Ready Campaign. This nationwide effort encourages individuals, businesses and communities across our country to plan and prepare for emergencies, whether they are natural or man-made. Building a culture of preparedness is a core mission of DHS and knowing what to do when disaster strikes can save lives and have a direct impact on your personal safety and that of your loved ones.

We want to make sure that all of us in the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, have taken the necessary precautions to protect yourselves and your family members if a serious emergency arises and serve as a model to others.

This year, NPM is focused on taking important preparedness steps including: Get an Emergency Supply Kit; Make a Family Emergency Plan; Be Informed about the different types of emergencies and their appropriate responses; and Get Involved in your communitys efforts. These are simple steps you can take to better prepare yourself and your family.

I encourage you to take a look at the >>family emergency plan template, and >>emergency supply kit checklist we have provided. In addition, I encourage you to visit www.ready.gov <http://www.ready.gov/> for more information and www.citizencorps.gov <http://www.citizencorps.gov/> to explore ways that you can get involved in your community. Please check your e-mail box in the coming days as the Ready campaign will be distributing additional information on what you can do.

Sincerely,

Patricia A. Morrissey, Ph.D.
Commissioner

Picture of crowd scene including emergency workers and man in wheelchair. One of the key lessons of recent emergencies, including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, is that emergency management processes at all levels of government must fully integrate the needs and talents of individuals with the full range of disabilities and the elderly.

Coordination of efforts at the State and Federal levels, and with non-governmental organizations is critical to ensuring that emergency management planning is designed to include and protect all individuals.

Picture of emergency worker and youth This site - IDEA EM - is intended to provide information concerning these issues. Among the resources available here are Quarterly Reports from individual States describing their efforts concerning emergency management and individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. Also included is a listing of documents and Internet links from a variety of organizations that provide information on relevant topics.

As you will see, work is progressing within States to identify issues involved with the integration, planning, and coordination of efforts within their local emergency management frameworks. The Federal government and other organizations are also developing plans and processes that are focused on these most vulnerable populations.

Together, organizations at all levels are working to improve their emergency management responses for individuals with disabilities and the elderly.