648 w 1

Posted: March 26th, 2020

648 w 1

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

648 w 1

Organizations typically incorporate emergency operations plans (EOPs) to respond to emergencies effectively. The EOP under assessment is the document implemented by Ohio University. An interesting aspect of the facility’s manuscript is that it establishes specific guidelines for the safety of special needs populations during disasters and urgent situations. These procedures have their basis on the inclusion of the respective individuals in specific areas during the planning stage such as:

• Evacuation
• Plan Activation
• Training and Preparedness
• Transportation
• Resource and Capacity Assessment (Ohio University, 2015)

Despite this, the EOP also overlooks the unique nature of the special needs population as far as planning and response to hazardous situations are concerned. In this respect, the guidelines often neglect incapacitated individuals in the areas in question, which involve:

• Sheltering
• Determination of Protective Strategies
• Assessment of Medical Resources
• Recovery after Disaster Incidents
• Prevention of Risks and Future Crises (Ohio University, 2015)

Failure to include special needs populaces in these areas is typical across many organizations. The rationale is that training materials and emergency awareness manuals usually presuppose that victims comprise capable, ambulatory, and autonomous individuals that can function effectively during a crisis (Davis & Sutherland, 2005). Addressing this deficiency necessitates the incorporation of groups within the community that can assist in disrupting the stereotype. Foremost, the community can exploit humanitarian agencies such as the American Red Cross, which possess experience in emergency response. Their training materials usually include processes capable of catering to special needs populations regardless of the nature of the facility (American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania, 2004). Such groups also possess the expertise needed to design EOPs that adequately respond to the needs of impaired individuals or those with supplementary needs. The integration of organizations with a similar objective, which has its foundation on ensuring that emergencies are observed, is pertinent in addressing the limitations of EOPs concerning special needs populaces.

References

American Red Cross. (2004). Emergency planning guide: For facilities with special needs populations. Pittsburgh, PA: Department of Emergency Services.

Davis, E., & Sutherland, D. (2005). It’s the law: Preparedness and people with disabilities. International Association of Emergency Managers Bulletin, 22(3), 13-14.

Ohio University. (2015). Emergency operations plan. Athens, OH: Office of Emergency Programs.