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Speeches
It's been over two years since the September 11 th attack shocked our people, our city, and our nation, but the lesson we learned in the days that followed-- that things will never be the same again -- is still with us.
It's still with us because New Yorkers hear repeated warnings that there may be future terrorist attacks against the city.
But terrorist attacks, while the most atrocious, are not the only disasters that have touched us.
More recently, we faced a startling black-out and, now, the possibility of a powerful hurricane flooding our streets.
It is critical in these uncertain times that New Yorkers— all New Yorkers—be prepared in case of an emergency.
There are nearly 940,000 New Yorkers over the age of 65.
Nearly 300,000 of these senior citizens live alone. Over 400,000 have disabilities, and many are unprepared for another disaster.
I know this because, as Public Advocate, I have met many of the city's elderly and listened to them tell me that they are scared of what will happen to them the next time the lights go out or terror strikes.
They are confused about what to do in an emergency situation.
It is our responsibility to make certain that these men and women are not forgotten or left behind in a crisis.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published a guide to help individuals and their families prepare for disasters, but it does not include information specific to seniors.
The New York State Emergency Management Office website has general tips on safety and preparedness, but many seniors do not have access to the web.
In 2002, my office launched the Preparedness Project with a brochure, as well as a website in English and Spanish, which includes the information in the brochure and links to other web locations.
This year, we have gone a step further by collaborating with AARP to publish Being Prepared—Reminders and Tips for NYC Seniors .
The pamphlet reminds seniors to make a handy list of contact information, to always carry ID cards or tags identifying any medical conditions, and to keep extra eyeglasses, written prescriptions, and batteries for hearing aids and radios, among many other suggestions.
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has also contributed to the effort to prepare seniors for emergencies.
It collaborated with the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities and the Department for the Aging to publish a Guide to Emergency Preparedness for Seniors and People with Disabilities .
Their guide helps seniors develop a personal emergency plan and prepare a survival kit.
The OEM's guide and my website and pamphlet will certainly help many New York seniors.
They are steps in the right direction, but we should do more.
The Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City is about to publish Preparing for Emergencies: A Planning Guide .
The guide suggests a detailed course of action for agencies providing services for seniors. I agree with many of their recommendations.
All senior centers, NORCs, and nursing homes must (A) develop an evacuation plan, (B) ensure that staff inform their clients of the plan, and (C) if possible, practice evacuation plans.
In addition, nursing homes must have a plan for evacuating disabled elderly. They must have back-up generators to run elevators in order to ensure that wheelchair-bound seniors will be able to exit the building in a reasonable amount of time.
Nursing homes must make emergency exits wheelchair- accessible. My office has consulted with an advocate who mentioned a troubling situation (since rectified) at one nursing home. The emergency exit could only be reached by passing through the basement and going up a set of five steps. Because the home did not have a ramp, it was difficult to get wheelchairs out through the emergency exit.
I also recommend that all senior centers, NORCs, and nursing homes develop a plan in case clients are forced to remain on-site in the event of an emergency.
This plan should include maintaining adequate supplies, especially food; training staff, volunteers, and clients in First Aid; and securing a means of communication that does not depend solely on phone service.
It is not, however, the sole responsibility of service providers to prepare for an emergency.
Appropriate city agencies should also step up their efforts to ensure the safety of our seniors and the readiness of their service providers.
The Department for the Aging should develop a single, comprehensive plan of action for all senior centers, NORCs, and nursing homes in the event of an emergency.
The plan should include a detailed set of contact information that tells service providers how and from whom to get up-to-date news and instructions, even when phone lines and cell phones are down.
Another advocate told my office that, on the day of the black-out, the nursing home she represents was in a state of chaos because it was impossible to get in touch with anyone at the Department for the Aging. Surely, such confusion can be prevented in the future.
This type of cooperative planning on the part of City agencies and service providers will ensure that safe havens for seniors are truly able to protect them within their walls, or safely get them out, if necessary.
We have come a long way, but we still have miles to go before all the people of New York City —including all its senior citizens—can be confident that they are prepared for whatever the future brings.
Thank you.
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