Emergency Preparedness Online,
Fifth Edition

A resource directory for emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and accessible communications

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS): the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC)

On July 22nd, 2004 President Bush signed Executive Order 13347 to strengthen emergency preparedness with respect to individuals with disabilities. This Executive Order directs the federal government to address the safety and security needs of people with disabilities in emergency situations including natural and man-made disasters. To this end, the Executive also created an Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities (ICC) chaired by the Department of Homeland Security.

A. The Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities:

1. Considers, in their emergency preparedness planning, the unique needs of agency employees with disabilities and individuals with disabilities whom the agency serves.
2. Encourages, including through the provision of technical assistance, consideration of the unique needs of employees and individuals with disabilities served by State, local, and tribal governments, and private organizations and individuals in emergency preparedness planning.
3. Facilitates cooperation among Federal, State, local, and tribal governments and private organizations and individuals in the implementation of emergency preparedness plans as they relate to individuals with disabilities.

For a copy of Executive Order 13347, more facts on the Interagency Coordinating Council, including information regarding Subcommittees, meetings, council participants, and a copy of their 2005 annual report, visit their website at: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0591.xml

B. The Disability Preparedness Resource Center

The Department of Homeland Security maintains a disability preparedness web site that provides practical information on how people with and without disabilities can prepare for an emergency. It also provides information for family members of, and service providers to, people with disabilities.  In addition, this site includes information for emergency planners and first responders to help them to better prepare for serving persons with disabilities. The site can be accessed at:
http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/

C. Emergency Preparedness NOW

In July 2005, the ICC disseminated Emergency Preparedness NOW, the first issue of its new quarterly newsletter. This newsletter publicizes the activities of the Interagency Coordinating Council, presents effective emergency preparedness practices, and spotlights individuals who make a positive impact on emergency preparedness for individuals with disabilities. To access the online posting of this newsletter, visit:
http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov

D. The Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) Receives DHS Emergency Preparedness Grant

On September 29th 2004, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it had awarded a 1.5 million dollar grant to a consortium of organizations that serve people who are deaf, late-deafened, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind. The consortium is led by Maryland-based Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI), and includes organizations in Virginia, Massachusetts, California and South Dakota. Together these organizations plan to develop model emergency preparedness community education programs for their consumers throughout the United States. The name of the project is CEPIN (Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network). Further information regarding this project can be obtained at:
www.cepintdi.org

E. Contact the ICC

To contact the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities:

Department of Homeland Security
Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities
Washington, DC 20528
Email: disability.preparedness@dhs.gov

F. DHS and ICC Accessibility Resources

This heading contains additional information regarding the Department of Homeland Security and accessibility. It may also contain content that can be found elsewhere on this site. These accessibility resources have been gathered together in this separate section to provide easy availability to those for whom accessibility is a foremost concern.

1. Interagency Coordinating Council's Disability Preparedness Resource Center
   http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/
   A web site that provides practical information on how people with and without disabilities can prepare for an emergency. It also provides information for family members of, and service providers to, people with disabilities.
2. READYAmerica
   http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html
   Ready.gov, by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, provides information on how all people can be prepared for emergencies, with a concentration on seniors and individuals with disabilities.
3. Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Disabilities
1. http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html
   The Department of Homeland Security posts a list of tips and suggestions for individuals with disabilities and special needs to prepare for an emergency.
2. http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/ppp/disabil.htm
   The Interagency Coordinating Council and the Department of Homeland Security offer disability-specific emergency preparedness information. Includes information for individuals with cognitive/developmental disabilities, limited mobility, visual disabilities, hearing and speech disabilities and more.
4. Emergency Preparedness for Seniors
   
1. http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/seniors.html
   The Department of Homeland Security provides suggestions and information about emergency preparedness for seniors.
2. http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/ppp/seniors.htm
   The ICC provides links with additional information regarding emergency preparedness for seniors.
5. Emergencies and Disaster: Planning and Prevention
   http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/emrscp/index.htm
   The online Disability Preparedness Resource Center provides practical information on how people with and without disabilities can prepare for an emergency. It also includes information for emergency planners and first responders to help them to better prepare for serving persons with disabilities.