When strong winds shattered the windows of Nancy Busacca’s home in Pasadena, Michelle Hollis, her caregiver for the past year, recognized it was time to evacuate. Hollis gathered essential items while trying to maintain her composure to avoid alarming Busacca, who was unable to walk due to esophageal cancer. As flames approached the house, Hollis’s initial concern was smoke inhalation, particularly because Busacca required supplemental oxygen. Simultaneously, Hollis contemplated the logistics of lifting Busacca into her SUV. Fortunately, a second caregiver who had finished her overnight shift stayed to assist.
Hollis turned to her colleague and reassured her, saying, “Hey, do you have faith?” The response, a confident “Yeah,” motivated them both to press forward. They successfully evacuated, but their experience amid the wildfires that swept through two Southern California communities last month highlighted the risks faced by individuals with disabilities and limited mobility, along with their caregivers, who often find themselves acting as first responders in such emergencies.
The vulnerability of such populations during natural disasters has been evident for years, notably since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. In California, the wildfires that impacted Sonoma and Butte counties in 2017 and 2018 raised similar concerns. A state audit conducted in 2019 underscored the challenges emergency services had historically encountered when assisting individuals with disabilities and limited mobility. Tragically, many of those who perished in the recent Southern California wildfires were disabled, with a significant number over the age of 70.
A coalition of 126 organizations, including noted groups like AARP and the Alzheimer’s Association, urged Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state legislature to prioritize older residents and individuals with disabilities when allocating resources for wildfire recovery. Hagar Dickman, a director at Justice in Aging, emphasized that their request was less about a specific financial figure and more about ensuring recovery efforts consider the unique needs of these populations.
Advocates and caregivers are calling for enhanced resources and strategic planning for future disasters, recognizing that climate change is leading to more frequent and intense emergencies. Laura Trejo, director of the Aging and Disabilities Department in Los Angeles County, indicated that officials are assessing the wildfires’ impacts on people with disabilities and the elderly. This involved outreach with nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and individuals receiving services from the county.
The magnitude of evacuations posed a unique challenge, with Trejo pointing out that she had never witnessed such a widespread evacuation in her 35 years of service. Reports suggest approximately 2,500 nursing home residents were evacuated due to the fires. However, tracking how many individuals with disabilities living at home were displaced remains complicated, given the lack of a centralized tracking system.
Questions directed to the governor’s office regarding resources for this demographic were redirected to the California Office of Emergency Services, which has not responded. Nonetheless, last month’s press release from the governor highlighted ongoing efforts, including welfare checks on individuals with developmental disabilities and routine inspections of nursing homes and assisted living centers.
Individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities often have specific requirements that aren’t adequately met by standard emergency responses. Many cannot drive, and some may not fully grasp the dangers they face. According to Silvia Yee, policy director at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, it is crucial to have premeditated evacuation plans rather than relying on swift decision-making in a crisis.
A 2019 report from the state auditor highlighted that California was not sufficiently prepared to protect vulnerable populations during disasters. Analyses in counties like Butte, Sonoma, and Ventura exposed shortcomings in evacuation warnings and revealed that those counties did not assess specific population needs beforehand or pre-arrange evacuation assistance. The report suggested that these gaps hampered effective responses during significant wildfires in recent years.
Although the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities during emergencies are well-documented, advocacy for improved preparation can be inconsistent. Dickman noted that during the recent fires, evacuation centers appeared ill-equipped to support disabled and older adults, citing shortages of essential supplies in temporary shelters.
Trejo expressed the need to enhance emergency education for caregivers and proposed implementing the “vial of life” protocol widely. This involves creating a packet that contains critical medical information that could be beneficial during emergencies. The goal is for every household to have one.
A system to identify and register individuals with unique needs could also be helpful, allowing local agencies to understand who requires assistance in specific areas ahead of time. For example, during pre-evacuations, local officials could identify individuals with mobility challenges needing early aid.
Janie Whiteford, an 80-year-old quadriplegic, emphasized the importance of local fire departments being aware of residents’ needs. She recalled instances where the fire department came to her aid, illustrating the value of a pre-established relationship. She envisions an organized response system where first responders check in on vulnerable individuals after emergencies, perhaps through rapid response vehicles designed for such purposes.
Yee stressed the importance of building a personal emergency network among family, friends, and neighbors, as professional first responders might not always be available during large-scale events.
Amid the chaos of the Eaton fire, Hollis did not initially have a concrete evacuation strategy. However, her extensive experience allowed her to think on her feet and maintain her calm demeanor. She initially considered taking Busacca to a hotel but ultimately had to rely on Emergency Medical Services for evacuation.
Hollis is thankful that they were able to safely evacuate, although Busacca later passed away from cancer. She believes that emergency training for caregivers is vital, as it can better prepare them for various scenarios during crises.
Although some emergency training programs for caregivers exist, accessibility and funding can be issues. The Center for Caregiver Advancement provides training focused on climate change and emergency preparedness. Their emergency planning course has reached approximately 4,000 caregivers across California since 2021.
Instructors emphasize the need for better preparedness among caregivers, especially regarding the unique challenges faced by their clients. This proactive training aims to equip caregivers with the confidence needed to handle emergencies effectively, ensuring they are better prepared for whatever challenges arise.
The urgency of improving disaster response for vulnerable populations continues to be a pressing issue, as evidenced by the tragic stories of those negatively impacted during the recent fires. Enhanced planning and resources not only benefit individuals with disabilities but also create a more resilient community for everyone.
