Seeking Individuals to Participate in 2017 Hurricane Charlie Full-Scale Evacuation Exercise

Texas Disability Partners,

 The Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD) is partnering with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to recruit volunteers to participate in the 2017 Hurricane Charlie full-scale evacuation exercise from June 1-8, 2017. We are recruiting volunteers to participate in the evacuation, sheltering, and repopulation portion of the exercise occurring on June 5-8, 2017.

Volunteer a Few Hours or a Couple of Days

The video gives a glimpse into what volunteers may experience during the exercise. There are multiple opportunities to volunteer for a few hours up to a couple of days. Here is the link to the volunteer recruitment video: http://vimeo.com/206601594/f4530e4bd9. The video is closed captioned. To activate the captioning click on the “CC” in the bottom right corner of the video and a small box will appear. Select “English” and then click on the play button to play the video.

Volunteer Registration

If you are interested in volunteering, please follow the link http://www.research.net/r/VBVV6CF to the volunteer registration. You will be able to indicate the dates and locations where you would like to volunteer. You will receive a letter with further information and be contacted by your local emergency management office. Please share this email with any groups or individual you think may be interested.

What to Bring with You

Guidance on what to bring to the exercise if you plan to participate in the evacuation and sheltering portion of the exercise is available at: http://www.texasprepares.org/. You should also plan to evacuate with any required medications, durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.), assistive technology, service animal with supplies, etc.
Hurricane Evacuation Checklist

Daytime Evacuees

• Daily and emergency medications
• Oxygen concentrator

• List of medication, dosages and times to take them

• List of your medical history, surgeries and allergies

• Mobility equipment; cane, walker, wheelchair, etc.

• Anything you would need for daily activities. Think of this as a trip to a friend’s house and you will be there until late at night.

Overnight Evacuees  

If you have volunteered to travel to a shelter and spend the night, we recommend you consider packing the following items.

• Comfortable clothing and shoes

• A light-weight jacket

• Umbrella

• Sunscreen

• Sleeping supplies; pillow, sheet and blanket

• Towel and wash cloth

• Personal hygiene items: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, soaps and lotions

• Home Health Aid or Caregiver (if applicable)

• Daily and emergency medications in original pill bottles

• List of medication, dosages and times to take them

• List of your medical history, surgeries and allergies

• Oxygen concentrator with spare oxygen bottle, spare cannula

• Any durable medical equipment you may need for daily activities i.e. walker, wheelchair (with charger if electric), cane, CPAP, BiPAP, nebulizer and equipment, ventilator, home dialysis (as recommended by your dialysis provider), ostomy bags and supplies, braces or other mobility devices, etc.

• Contacts, Glasses and spare glasses

• Snacks and special food needs. Shelter food is unpredictable

• incontinence supplies

• Hearing Aids with spare batteries

• Urinary catheters and associated supplies

•          Service or companion animal including the following supplies;

• Bowl and Food
• Leash and collar with Identification/tag on the animal
• Picture of you with the animal (in case you are separated)
• Vet records and any Medications the animal may need
• Microchip information, affirm the information is up to date.

What to Expect When You Arrive

Once all items receive a band, you will be moved into a waiting area (if not staying overnight) or placed onto a bus for transport to a shelter. Your personal items may be stowed under the bus and retrieved at the shelter location. Refreshments will be provided both at the embarkation hub and during transport to the shelter. Once arrived at the shelter, you will be scanned getting off the bus along with the banded items brought onboard. All items stowed under the bus, once retrieved, will be scanned. You will be met by shelter staff and will be directed to the shelter area. Food and snacks will be provided at the shelters. The following morning, the reverse process will occur and you will be returned to your home embarkation hub.

Upon arrival at the embarkation hub, you may encounter lines and delays evacuees are registered into the tracking system. Have your driver’s license or state ID available to expedite the process. Once you are registered, you will receive a wrist band that is barcoded. This barcode identifies you in the electronic tracking system and any luggage, animals, medical equipment etc. will also be given a band. All of these items will be associated with your wristband so the items can be tracked and returned if lost.

Prepare Yourself and Emergency Responders

Volunteering is a great way for you to help train local and state emergency management professionals in responding to the needs of people with disabilities and other access and functional needs during an emergency. It is also a good opportunity for you and your family to test your own personal preparedness.

Thank you in advance for being a part of this evacuation exercise and for helping Texas train and prepare to respond to the emergency needs of the whole community in any future emergency.