Library: Policy

340:105-10-45. Area agency on aging disaster planning

Revised 6-1-07

(a) Policy. The area agency on aging (AAA) makes arrangements for the availability of services to older persons, where feasible and appropriate, in weather related emergencies and other disasters, including local and national emergencies, such as terrorist acts and flu pandemics.

(b) Authority. The authority for this Section is Section 1321.65(e) of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(c) Procedures. In order to ensure the availability of needed services to older persons during weather related emergencies and other disasters, the AAA:

(1) designates a staff person who is responsible for disaster related activities;

(2) identifies the community persons responsible for disaster planning and services in the planning and service area (PSA), for example, Civil Defense officials, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mennonite Disaster Services, and Interfaith Task Forces, and informs these officials of the role of the AAA in disaster planning;

(3) informs disaster officials of the aging services available throughout the PSA and transmits resource directories, as appropriate;

(4) negotiates written agreements with Civil Defense officials or other appropriate officials, and outlines specific coordination efforts to be carried out prior to, during, and following a disaster;

(5) develops a written disaster plan that incorporates the activities outlined in agreements with disaster officials and includes:

(A) the types of disasters most prevalent in the PSA;

(B) the capabilities and limitations of the AAA;

(D) the need for the AAA to assume a greater responsibility for disaster plan implementation for non-federally declared disasters;

(6) submits a copy of the disaster plan to the State Agency for review and approval;

(7) annually reviews the disaster plan and written agreements with disaster officials for possible updating;

(8) implements the disaster plan when notified by state or local officials that a disaster has occurred or has been officially declared, and follows the procedure in this paragraph. The AAA:

(A) determines the impact of the disaster on AAA facilities and utilities, including telephone service;

(B) makes immediate arrangements to handle incoming calls from disaster officials and older persons and their families;

(D) reports to the Aging Services Division Special Unit on Aging by telephone or e-mail within 24 hours after a disaster, to include information on the:

(i) number of older persons affected;

(ii) number of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and residential care homes affected;

(iii) number of fatalities of older persons;

(iv) number of older persons injured; and

(v) extent of damage to the property of older persons.

(E) determines the special needs of older disaster victims and the resources available to meet those needs;

(F) provides information and makes referrals to incoming inquiries, as appropriate;

(G) provides outreach and transportation services, as appropriate;

(H) consults with Civil Defense officials in cases of federally declared disasters to determine the need for on-site AAA staff assistance at disaster centers; and

(I) provides follow-up to older disaster victims, as appropriate; and

(9) submits a summary report to the State Agency on the disaster related activities.

(d) Cross references. There are no cross references for AAA disaster planning.