Updated 05.11.09

Functional Assessment Service Teams

“The intent of using Functional Assessment Service Teams (FASTs) in shelters is to recognize that some people need assistance with essential functional needs and some do not.  What is important is that response planning incorporates ways to offer life preservers and safety nets.

Safety nets help people, whose margin of resiliency is smaller and whose vulnerability is greater, get essential functional needs met in unstable and changing environments.

Some people and systems confuse safety nets with fishing nets.  Fishing nets, as they do with fish, scoop people from environments in which they coped or thrived, confine them and threaten their health, safety and independence.”

June Isaacson Kailes, Disability Policy Consultant, 2008

Functional Assessment Service Teams

http://www.cdss.ca.gov/dis/PG1909.htm (LAST ACCESSED 04.3.09)This site contains information about disaster sheltering for People with Disabilities and Elderly (PWD/E) and Functional Assessment Service Teams (FAST):

• FAST Training Announcement

• FAST Frequently Asked Questions

• PWD/E Final Draft Annex

• Appendix A - Function Based Framework

• Appendix B - FAST Description

• Appendix C - PWD/E Glossary

• Appendix D - FAST Training Matrix

• Appendix E - Personal Assistant Description

• Appendix F - FAST Position Table

• Appendix G - FAST Flowchart

• Appendix J - Pharmaceuticals Procurement

• Appendix K - FAST Deployment Checklist

• FAST Presentation

• FAST Description

 

Workshop Handouts

Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices, June Kailes, 2006

Emergency Preparedness: Taking Responsibility For Your Safety - Tips for People with Activity Limitations and Disabilities. (2006) Los Angeles County Emergency Survival Program, Formats: PDF, Microsoft Word 1 & 2, text, last accessed 01/29/08     

Planning


Kailes. J. 2008. Southern California Wildfires After Action Report - Formats: PDF,  Text

Highlights many disaster response and recovery areas of specific and significant concern to the diverse disabilities communities in California. It documents the experiences of people with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs. The areas covered include:

• cross cutting issues,

• communication access,

• mass care and shelter,

• evacuation and transportation,

• role nongovernmental provider and advocacy organizations in disaster response,

• long term care facilities,

• training and exercise programs.

Many of the local government After Action Reports are silent on these issues or only vaguely mention them. This report offers 71 specific recommendations for strengthening and improving preparedness, response actions and recovery efforts that are inclusive of people with disabilities and activity limitations. Many of the recommendations reinforce a variety of continuing emergency concerns that existed before the 2007 fires and continues today.

Kailes, J. 2007. Access and Functional Services Coordinator, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Service, Proposed Deputy Director Position (Version 3), posted 05/3/07


At-Risk Populations and Pandemic Influenza: Planning Guidance For State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local Health Departments, June 2008, last accessed 7/27/08


Guidance on Planning and Responding to the Needs of People with Disabilities and Older Adults - for emergency managers and planners, and disability and older adult service systems, for planning and responding, during disasters and recovery, produced by the California’s Governor’s Office of Emergency Services,  Office of Access and Functional Needs. Last accessed 11/22/08

Moving Beyond “Special Needs”: A Function Based Framework for Emergency Management and Planning. Kailes, J., Enders, A., (2007), Journal of Disability Policy Studies.  PRO-ED, TX:Austin. 2007. 17: p. 230-237. Formats: PDF, Microsoft Word.

Report on California Registries, May 2008, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Office for Access and Functional Needs, surveyed to the 58 County emergency managers regarding the utilization of registries in planning for people with disabilities. The purpose of the survey was to learn more about the prevalence and effectiveness of registries in California. Last accessed 11/22/08

Serving and Protecting All by Applying Lessons Learned Including People with Disabilities and Seniors in Disaster Services, (March 2006), June Kailes and California Foundation for Independent Living, last accessed 01/17/08

Saving Lives: Including People with Disabilities in Emergency Planning, National Council on Disability, 2005, last accessed 01/17/08  

Why and How to Include People with Disabilities in Your Emergency Planning Process? Version 2, March 2008, Format Microsoft Word, Posted 04/17/08




Home |  Services | Products 

jik@pacbell.net
© 1998 - 2009 June Isaacson Kailes, Disability Policy Consultant, All Rights Reserved.
Created 11/8/97  |  Updated 05.11.09