DELAWARE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND DISASTER RESPONSE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU CONTACT US:

DISCLAIMER

Homeless To Independence Inc. is a 501©3 non-profit organization. We are self supporting and we do NOT receive any  government grant funding what-so-ever to pay bills for anyone in any situation. We do not give away money. We do not give out loans against any money.

This ministry is supported with generous financial donations that are used to help keep us functioning. Our purpose is to help supply individuals and families with personal needs such as food, toiletries, clothing, household items, furniture and baby/adult diapers/wipes both locally and to areas effected by disasters. At this time, we do not offer any shelter or transitional housing services. Again, we DO NOT pay any bills. We DO NOT pay any rents or mortgages.

If you are actually homeless, or about to be homeless or need emergency assistance of any kind, DIAL “211” from a land-line telephone. This will not work from a cell telephone. Tell the receiver your situation and what you need. They will give you information specific for the location you are currently in plus any referrals you may need.  They have the most up to the minute information for your specific area. Dialing “211” will get you help and much more info than this office can provide. Homeless to Independence wants you to have all the information you need to get through the situation you are in.

 

Don’t have a land-line telephone???  Go to your local police department, library, or house of worship and ask to use their land-line telephone. They may even make the call on your behalf.

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Homeless To Independence Inc. is not responsible for misprints or cancellations of events by the event holders, landlord and/or their agent, or ourselves. Homeless to Independence Inc. also reserves the right to “NOT” offer services to people and/or persons that are rude, unpleasant, and untruthful in any way shape or form, belligerent and the like.

OCCASIONALLY, THERE WILL BE ARTICLES BY OTHER WRITERS. HOMELESS TO INDEPENDENCE MAY NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THEIR VIEWPOINTS, BUT WE DO RESPECT THEM.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!

OFFICE CONTACT INFO:

HOMELESS TO INDEPENDENCE INC., 201 STATION ROAD #258, QUAKERTOWN, PA 18951

THE VERY BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME IS TO SEND ME AN EMAIL:  ANN@HOMELESSTOINDEPENDENCE.ORG

OFFICE NUMBER IS:  1-908-454-1500 LISTEN TO THE RECORDING

Please note that our office does have very limited volunteer staff and if we are one telephone line, we cannot answer the other line.  There is simply not enough time in the day to answer and/or return each and every telephone call.

THANK YOU!!!

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You are more than welcome to send in information on your on your emergency preparedness events…..
to delaware@homelesstoindependence.org

Thank you!

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Delaware Helpline 2-1-1

2-1-1 is a free and confidential way to find out about important health and human services programs in your community. Call 2-1-1 for information about health care, help paying rent and utility bills, transportation services, job training, mental health counseling and much more.

GO TO: http://www.delaware211.org/

POSTED 07-15-12

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Disability.gov Update: Disaster Distress Resources & Helpline – 1-800-985-5990
Disability.gov sent this bulletin at 11/08/2012 05:41 PM EST
Disaster Distress Resources & Helpline – 1-800-985-5990

Tips for coping and other resources for people who may be feeling overwhelmed following natural disasters or other events. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed, call 1-800-985-5990 (1-800-846-8517 (TTY) for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) to speak with a crisis counselor 24/7, or text TalkWithUs to 66746. Download the wallet card, “Having Trouble Coping After a Disaster? Talk with Us.”

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Formidable Footprint – A Community / Neighborhood Exercise

Description The Formidable Footprint exercise series has been developed in accordance with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) protocols. The objective of the exercise series is for CERTs, Neighborhood Watch Programs, Neighborhood Associations, Community / Faith Based Organizations, Citizen Corps, Fire Corps and others to work as a team to become better prepared for the next disaster their community may face. There is NO CHARGE for participation in any of the Formidable Footprint exercises. For additional information or to register for up-coming exercises please access the following web site today: www.FormidableFootprint.org

This is a Virtual Event –

Contact Information (Name / Phone / Weblink) Chris Floyd / 850-241-3565 / chrisfloyd@drc-group.com

Here is the PDF for this exercise: FFExerciseFlyer

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Delaware Launches First Statewide Registry to Help Citizens with Special Needs During an Emergency

Dover – Today Gov. Jack A. Markell and Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) Secretary Lewis D. Schiliro launched the nation’s first statewide online registry designed to help Delaware citizens with special needs prepare for an emergency before it happens.

“This registry gives emergency responders access to vital information when time is of the essence,” said Governor Markell. “It helps us help others when an emergency or unexpected medical event occurs. We hope Delawareans with special medical needs, older or younger, and their families will take advantage of this new tool. It could save a life.”

The Emergency Preparedness Voluntary Registry is linked to a secure database which ties into the State’s 911 system making this valuable information immediately accessible to 911 dispatchers. With this registry, 911 dispatchers will now be able to provide first responders with specific details about a citizen’s special needs before they arrive on the scene.

“Having this kind of detailed information before our paramedics, firefighters or police arrive at a home is invaluable. The development of this special needs registry is about saving lives and being able to better serve our citizens,” said Schiliro, who is also Chair of the State’s E911 Board.

The State’s Emergency Preparedness Registry was designed to help Delawareans share information on a number of specific health-related conditions or special needs. Participants are encouraged to share information on residents who may be impacted by epilepsy, cardiac conditions, Alzheimers or autism. Citizens can also share information on those who are hard of hearing or may have impaired vision or speech. In addition, they can provide specific details to help responders locate someone within the home who may be confined to a bed or unable to move without assistance.

“If first responders need to evacuate a home or building, information from the registry will be used to let them know if someone inside may be in a wheelchair or oxygen dependent. Arming our first responders with this kind of specific information will make their jobs easier and help them become more efficient,” State 911 Administrator Terry Whitham said.

In addition to assisting first responders, local and state emergency planners will use the information gathered from this site to plan for local and state emergencies. The ability to plan ahead will help emergency personnel better serve the community at times of crisis such as snow, floods, fire, tornadoes, or events that involve terrorism.

The creation of the special needs registry has been a multi-agency effort with DSHS, Department of Health and Social Services, Department of Technology and Information, Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Developmental Disabilities Council working together on the development and implementation of the registry. Many other state and private agencies were part of the committee that started discussions on this project more than two years.

“A major portion of the mission of the Department of Health and Social Services is protecting our vulnerable populations,” said Henry Smith, Deputy Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. “The creation of this registry is a clear example of how not only DHSS, but the entire state of Delaware, takes care of its own.”

This is a great example of how technology can be leveraged for the greater good. This registry is a beneficial tool for the disability community, 911 Center Operators, and First Responders to help protect lives in the event of any type of an emergency. The Department of Technology & Information is pleased that the site is easy to use and the information is properly safe guarded,” said James Sills, Secretary of the Department of Technology and Information.

The development and implementation of the registry project was approximately $35,000 and was funded by the State’s E-911 Board and a federal emergency grant.

For more information or to begin using the State’s Emergency Preparedness Registry, go to http://www.de911assist.delaware.gov/

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WE LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING OTHERS!!