New DE-PLANs Website Focuses on “Preparing Older Adults.”

Family Emergency Preparedness Day is Sept. 23 at Brecknock Park

SMYRNA, Del. — Governor Carney is proclaiming September as Preparedness Month in Delaware to highlight the many ways families and businesses can “make a plan, build a kit, and stay informed” to be better prepared for emergencies and natural disasters. September coincides with the peak months for Atlantic hurricane season, which underscores the need for readiness. The 2023 theme is “Preparing Older Adults,” highlighting key challenges Delaware seniors can face when it comes to preparedness.

U.S. News reports Delaware is the 10th fastest-aging state in the U.S. The most recent U.S. Census estimates about 21 percent of the population is over 65, and more than 40 percent is 50 and older, according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). According to FEMA’s 2022 National Household Survey, older adults were more likely than younger adults to know their evacuation routes, document and insure their property, safeguard their documents, and save for a rainy day. However, they were less likely to sign up for alerts and warnings, make a plan, practice emergency drills or habits, and get involved in their community.

According to AARP, several factors make older adults more vulnerable to the effects of disasters:

• Mobility: Older adults often have mobility issues or lack the transportation to get out of harm’s way.
• Social: Seniors might be socially isolated, with few friends or family nearby, or reluctant to leave pets.
• Information: 15 percent of people 50 or older do not have internet, and 60 percent say cost is an issue. As a result, many can’t get real-time information on weather conditions, resources, or help.
• Finances: Many seniors lack the means to prepare for disasters or relocate. In 2019, older adults’ median income was $27,398. 12 percent of those over 65 made less than $10,000. Over half those over 50 have no emergency savings. Fixed incomes make it difficult to stock up food or prescriptions.
• Location: Many older adults live in coastal areas that are affected by floods and rising sea levels. From 1970 to 2010, these areas saw an 89 percent increase in residents 65 and older.

DE-PLANs: New Website for Older Adults and Emergency Preparedness

In response to these challenges, Delaware now has a new website, DE-PLANs, that offers a “one-stop resource for aiding emergency management, resilience planning, and outreach for Delaware’s older adults. “DE-PLANs” is an acronym for “Delaware Equitable Planning for Local Adaptation Needs.”

Funded by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and administered by Delaware Sea Grant and the University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration, the site combines Delaware-specific information with resources and GIS data to build state and local capacity and policy development. The platform compiles social vulnerability data, social services, infrastructure, and hazard information to support state, county, and local planning for emergency management preparedness and aging in place.

Built upon a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework, the site features these valuable resources:

1. “Featured Themes” that cover “Aging in Place,” “Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness,” and “Connectivity.” This section blends survey data on what seniors consider their top priorities with links to in-depth fact sheets on “at-risk population” data for each of Delaware’s three counties and 57 individual municipalities. A “Delaware Equity Analysis Tool” maps focus areas in the state.
2. “Delaware Demographics and Emergency Planning Map” is an interactive map with data layers that can be turned on and off to display important information such as hospitals, shelters, EMT and fire stations, pharmacies, senior living communities, and more.
3. “Case Studies” provide in-depth analysis of issues using “story maps” on topics such as “Delaware’s Aging Population and Flood Risk,” “Vulnerable Populations and Health Facilities,” a Delaware Food System Map, and other key issues.

For more information:
Delaware Sea Grant: Danielle Swallow, 302-645-4258, dswallow@udel.edu
University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration: Julie O’Hanlon, 302-831-6224, jusmith@udel.edu

Family Emergency Preparedness Day

“Family Emergency Preparedness Day” returns to Camden’s Brecknock Park on Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free event highlights public safety and readiness planning in a fun, family environment with activities, food, giveaways, and demonstrations. Last year, over 35 first response agencies and social service organizations participated, providing CPR training, car seat safety checks, a car extrication demo, state police helicopter, and appearances by Smokey Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog. There will be food as well as free Kona Ice for the first 500 attendees to complete an activity challenge.
 

 

“Know Your Zone”

New this year, “Know Your Zone” is an important resource for emergency evacuation in Delaware. Evacuation zones – identified as either A, B, C or D – encompass low-lying areas susceptible to flooding and storm surge. When disasters happen, officials issue evacuation warnings or mandatory orders for communities in impacted areas. It’s important to know your zone before a disaster strikes because it includes specific Delaware Evacuation Routes and proper guidance in the event of an emergency. Evacuating in a planned method by zone reduces unnecessary travel, roadway congestion and overcrowding, and allows for quicker, safer movement during emergencies and disasters. Users can locate their zone in two ways: the Evacuation Zone Lookup Tool or Interactive Evacuation Zone Map.

PrepareDE.org – “Get Prepared Delaware!”

PrepareDE.org is Delaware’s hub for preparedness: it houses a wealth of resources and fact sheets to help families get ready for any emergency. It sports a new, mobile-friendly design with bright colors and easy-to-navigate sections. The site is a cooperative effort by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Delaware Citizen Corps, and the DHSS Division of Public Health Office of Preparedness.

Resources and information are grouped into major categories with step-by-step sections and guides:

• Make a Plan – Information on Basic Emergency Plans, Plans for Seniors and those with Special Needs, Communication and Evacuation Plans, Plans for Pets, and Additional Plans
• Build a Kit – Information on Emergency Shelter-in-Place kit (for extended home stays), Go-Bags (for immediate evacuation), First Aid Kits, Vehicle Kits, and Pet Kits.
• Stay Informed – Sign up for Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS), Download the FEMA App or DelDOT App, Register for Smart 911 alerts, and Monitor radio and TV media.
• Emergency Types – Learn about the different disasters that can happen and how to prepare.
• Volunteer, Get Involved – Learn about the Community Emergency Response Team and many other volunteer organizations that serve Delaware.

Online Resources for Older Adults

• Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults (CDC)
• American Red Cross: Senior Emergency Preparedness
• Disaster Preparedness Tip Sheets for Seniors
• Ready.gov Individuals with Disabilities
• Ready.gov Older Adults
• Administration for Community Living: Emergency Preparedness
• Emergency Readiness for Older Adults and People with Disabilities (ACL)
• Emergency Preparedness Month: “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” (ACL)
• Disaster Preparedness Guide for Seniors & Caregivers
• AARP Delaware: It’s Hurricane Season and Are You Prepared?
• AARP’s “Disaster Resilience Toolkit”

Social Media: Delaware Emergency Management Agency on Facebook and X and Instagram

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