The following synopsis of actions, ideas and approaches reflect how P&As and fire service representatives intend to continue collaborations after attending the 2019-2020 Facing Flames Regional Workshop Series. Please note, the information below is not an exhaustive account of ways to engage but rather a brief snapshot of comments, commitments and contributions made by workshop participants and related partners. This list is thus ever-evolving!
- Coordinate disability inclusive teams/taskforces to identify, report and solve community/state specific fire safety concerns
- Co-strategize alongside individuals with disabilities, families, service providers and care workers to assess critical needs and adapt trainings/exercises accordingly. This approach can help shift training efforts from focusing only on institutional/residential staff members to a method more inclusive of individuals with disabilities when shaping plans and practices.
- Incorporate resident representatives with disabilities into facility table top exercises on emergency preparedness
- Collaborate across multiple disability stakeholders on community education and engagement initiatives by assessing which organizations serve which disability populations and setting specific outreach goals each quarter
- Revise the content of fire safety material, not just their formats, to include strategies relevant to adults and children with a variety of disabilities
- Share updated material with organizations that center racial/religious minorities, women, LGBTQIA, youth, etc.
- Request to attend community events/meetings hosted by diverse organizations to distribute material directly to different populations
- Conduct quarterly check ins between fire safety officials and disability partners to assess progress on high priority issues
- Communicate more consistently on code considerations relevant to ADA standards or regulatory changes that effect disability access
- Advocate for consistent inclusion of community members with disabilities on code review boards/committees
- Collectively work to ensure safety and egress for people with disabilities during active shooter scenarios
- Review and revamp Emergency Operation Procedures to include considerations from disability community members
- Make relevant policy recommendations to assure more equitable emergency management practices across multiple state and local government agencies
- Balance future after action reports with community feedback to more accurately measure sustainable progress
- Brainstorm new and creative ways to include students with disabilities in all school based fire safety curriculums/exercises
- Connect with the American Red Cross to obtain and circulate free adapted smoke alarms for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- Include the phrase “Reasonable Accommodations available upon request” on all public facing flyers, social media or other promotional material
- Extend training on disability inclusion to new fire service recruits and seasoned personnel on a rolling basis
- Share information on troubling trends such as fire hazards identified within facilities, residential care homes, schools, jails etc.
- Create more interactive and efficient training opportunities for first responders inclusive of videos and online courses that are city/county/state specific
- Operationalize a team of diverse disability advisors tasked with reviewing and contributing to fire safety/emergency management decisions that impact their communities
