Supes to receive report on evacuation necessities for elderly and disabled residents

A report on “emergency preparation and evacuation necessities for older adults and persons with access or function needs,” will be presented to the Board of Supervisors next week, according to a county release.

Prepared by the Yolo County Commission of Aging and Adult Services, the 15-page document includes recommendations on how the community can prepare in the wake of recent fires, floods and electrical outages.

“As Chair of the Yolo County Commission on Aging and Adult Services, I am well aware of the severe risks that elderly and disabled residents face during fire, flood or other disasters,” said Supervisor Jim Provenza. “This report provides a road map for Yolo County, our cities and our local aging commissions to take concrete action to protect our elderly and disabled population during a disaster. I am grateful to the members of the Commission and our Disaster Preparedness Subcommittee for their months of hard work on this project.”

Included in the report are recommendations for a Special Needs Alert Program (SNAP) to identify and serve those with special needs during an emergency; measures to assure that licensed care facilities have adequate evacuation plans; training on Alzheimer's Disease and dementia for emergency workers; and help for those who rely on medical equipment during power outages.

After presenting these recommendations to the board, city councils, and local aging commissions in the county, YCCAAS will monitor progress in the implementation of the recommendations and provide assistance as needed, according to the county release.

“Supervisor Jim Provenza had the foresight to bring the issue of disaster preparedness to the Yolo County Commission on Aging and Adult Services, to make sure the elderly and disabled in our area are not left behind in an emergency,” said YCCAAS Vice Chair Elaine Roberts Musser.

“It is going to take a group effort and earnest collaboration between the county, cities, and citizens themselves to ensure that the elderly and disabled are not forgotten in a crisis,” Roberts Musser continued. “Good preparation is the key to survival and every government agency and person must take the responsibility to prepare for any eventuality, whenever it comes.”

The report can be viewed on the county's website in the Board of Supervisors section under “reports and publications.”