Jennifer L. Rowland, MPH, MS, PT, Research & Training Center on Independent Living, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside, Room 4089 Dole Building, Lawrence, KS 66045, (785) 691-4297, jenrow@ku.edu

Emergency preparedness and response is a public safety issue that affects many people each year. Currently, no empirical data exists that explores the effectiveness of emergency preparedness policies and practices for people with mobility impairments. Assisting all persons during an emergency is addressed by Healthy People 2010 in Objective (8-21): “(To) ensure that State health departments establish training, plans, and protocols and conduct multi-institutional exercises to prepare for response to natural and technological disasters.” This poster will describe a 2-part research study that explores whether emergency services departments in Northeast Kansas have current policies and practices specifically designed to assist people with mobility impairments during emergencies. Study 1 is a qualitative study designed to answer the following research questions: (1) do emergency services agencies in Northeast Kansas have preparedness policies, guidelines, or practices specifically designed to assist people with mobility impairments?; (2) is there a difference among rural and urban locations as to whether such policies, guidelines, or practices exist and whether there are resources to support them?; and (3) do emergency services planners think it is important to have policies, guidelines or practices to specifically address the needs of people with mobility impairments? Study 2 is an experimental study testing two scenario-based training programs for 4 firefighters. Results indicate both knowledge and skills training programs were effective in increasing the ability of each firefighter to assist a person with a mobility impairment post-training.

Learning Objectives: After reading this poster, participants will be able to

• Examine the results of a 2-part study that examined current policies and practices in emergency departments within Northeast Kansas, then tested an original training program on 4 firefighters.
• Learn about the importance of emergency preparedness for people with mobility impairments and what can be done to improve existing policies and practices.

Keywords: Disasters, Disability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.