The Active Planning Workbook (Part 2)

EM: “Now let’s talk about the workbook guide, the Active Planning Workbook.

“The Active Planning Workbook guides the CSM. Participants collaborate to complete 3 steps using 3 tools in the Workbook.” 

The Active Planning Workbook

3 Steps to Follow

  1. Where are we now?

  2. Where do we want to be?

  3. How do we get there?

3 Tools to Complete

  1. Needs Assessment/ Gap Analysis

  2. Set priorities

  3. Close the gap with an Action Plan

Character 19: [Signing] “As CSM participants collaborate to complete the Active Planning Workbook, group discussion will identify gaps and lead to strategies for closing gaps. Once the Workbook is complete the community will have a blueprint to make the local emergency plan more inclusive.” 

Terrye, review the Workbook by clicking on the link below.

“You’ll be able to download the entire Workbook as a PDF as you leave Disasterville County.” 

Character 18: [Signing] “Let’s go over the 3 Steps in more detail. Step 1: The Meeting Facilitator reads Tool 1, a checklist, out loud, item by item. Participants decide together whether the community meets each standard described. The Recorder makes a check mark in the Workbook if standards are met and leaves a blank if standards aren’t met. Some communities choose to give themselves partial credit.” 

The checklist is meant to start a discussion about disability and other populations with access and functional needs, local emergency services, resources and individual responsibility to self-prepare. 

As items are read aloud participants share ideas, knowledge, expertise and resources. As the discussion continues, gaps and areas for improvement become clear, and participants begin to generate strategies to address the gaps. 

Check marks mean a standard has been met. Unchecked lines indicate gaps or areas for improvement. 

If the checklist seems overwhelming, remember it’s a discussion starter. Some items may not apply to every community. 

PJ: “Think of your own community as you look at examples from the Tool 1 checklist from the Active Planning Workbook.” 

From: Tool 1 – Where are we now? 

Transportation and evacuation 

  • Our emergency plan includes a description of the likely evacuation needs of people with disabilities

  • Our emergency plan specifies a policy to evacuate families together, evacuate caregivers together with those they care for, and evacuate people with disabilities together with vital equipment, assistive technology and service animals

  • This policy is incorporated into our contracts with third-party transportation providers

  • Our emergency managers/planners have coordinated with local entities that are required to have evacuation plans

  • Our emergency managers/planners have reached out to workplaces and public venues that are not required to have evacuation plans and encouraged those entities to share their evacuation plans with the emergency managers/planners

Mass care sheltering 

  • Our shelter capacity assessment takes into account space issues relating to people with disabilities, such additional space for caregivers, service animals, mobility and other equipment, or accessible cots

  • Our emergency plan includes a process to evaluate potential shelter sites for physical accessibility and to address inaccessibility with remediation or by switching sites

  • Our emergency plan identifies sources for supplies likely to be needed by people with disabilities that can be borrowed, bartered or purchased and accessed quickly

  • A system is in place for tracking use and security of these supplies

  • A system is in place for tracking use and security of these supplies

  • Shelter staff understands that by law they may ask only 2 questions about service animals: (1) Is the service animal required because of a disability; and (2) What work or task has the service animal been trained to perform?

Emergency Dispensing Sites (EDS) 

  • The EDS site is in an accessible building with : ___ Accessible parking and passenger drop off areas ___ Accessible entryways and pathways ___ Accessible restrooms

  • The registration information collects information which will aid in contact tracing, if needed

  • Reminder system for second vaccine, if needed

  • There is a protocol for triaging people getting the vaccine

  • There is a protocol if the triage indicates that someone has COVID

  • Check in areas with chairs and accessible tables ___ Registration materials accessible and in different formats ___ People to help with registration ___ Waiting areas with chairs and accessible tables ___ Quiet space is available for those who need it ___ Inclusive and accessible signage ___Clear instructions for the pathway through the stations and at each station

Recovery

  • People with disabilities participate in writing after action reports

  • A priority facility restoration list has been developed and the list includes facilities that serve people with disabilities

?Terrye, think about these examples from the checklist. What parts of the Active Planning checklist are new to you? Which ones are you already familiar with? Are there certain questions that you may need to emphasize for work in your community?  List 3 important questions to emphasize in your community

Character 10: “Step 2: The Recorder tallies the check marks and blank spaces from Tool 1 and announces the results. The CSM meeting participants decide on 5 gaps or areas for improvement with simple, quick and/or inexpensive solutions. The group then selects 3 gaps that will need more extensive or expensive solutions.” 

Character 8: “Step 3: The Facilitator leads the group to complete an Action Plan which describes the main gaps identified, proposed strategies to address those gaps, people responsible for implementation and a timeline. The Action Plan is based on the results of the checklist and discussions at the CSM. 

Just for practice, Terrye, choose a priority based on your own brief gap analysis and fill in the abbreviated Tool 3 below.  Then you’ll be ready for the Disasterville CSM in a few weeks.