Be Prepared Ohio

During Hurricane Katrina, we watched as some of our country’s most vulnerable citizens – older adults and people with disabilities – struggled to get help or find care in the midst of chaos and confusion. Caregivers threw their hands in the air in desperation and exhaustion when medicine, supplies and transportation were nowhere to be found. These images are still fresh in our minds.

September 22, 2008
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sharonville Convention Center
11355 Chester Road
Sharonville, OH 45246

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View the Be Prepared Ohio program and register to attend the event

On Sept. 22, Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio and the Emergency Preparedness Collaborative will present Be Prepared Ohio, an event that will focus on one of the toughest lessons learned during that difficult time in 2005: people with functional needs (older adults, people with disabilities, etc.) require more help than that which is provided through traditional emergency response systems. We know now that this vulnerable group needs help with advance planning – making an emergency plan, gathering supplies – and they will require special assistance during an emergency.

Be Prepared Ohio is a first-of-its-kind event that will bring together emergency responders, public health and social service agencies, people with functional needs and their caregivers to share information and resources on how to prepare for emergencies. The event, held during National Preparedness Month, will include educational tracks for professionals (CEUs available), as well as the general public, featuring topics such as Pandemic Flu, terrorism, evacuation planning, disaster response in children, and continuity of service to vulnerable populations during emergencies. The tracks will be presented by local and national experts in emergency preparedness, including representatives from the Red Cross, state and county emergency management agencies, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. with a video message from Gov. Ted Strickland, followed by a welcome message from Hamilton County Commissioner, Todd Portune. Reps. Dale Mallory and Dr. Shawn Webster will speak on the importance of emergency planning and caring for pets during disasters, respectively. A bomb truck and robot will be on hand for demonstrations throughout the day. The event will conclude at 4 p.m.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 12. Registration is encouraged for this event. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided for registered attendees. Those who do not register can not be guaranteed a meal.

The keynote will be delivered by Lanny Taulbee, disabilities coordinator for the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service. In this position, Taulbee advocates for the needs of persons with disabilities and works to ensure they are able to navigate the maze of disability-related services. During his keynote, Taulbee will call on his own first-hand experience to speak about the importance of addressing the needs of people with functional needs in emergency planning.

Be Prepared Ohio will inform and empower people with functional needs about how to be better prepared in case of an emergency.

Be Prepared Ohio is the first ever event in Southwestern Ohio where first responders,
emergency management authorities, public health agencies, service providers and those with functional needs will learn and share together on how to become better prepared.

Sponsorship, exhibitor and advertising opportunities are available. Learn more about how you can be a part of this unique event.

For information about attending or participating in this event, please contact Amy Leonhardt, Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, at (513) 345-3367 or aleonhardt@help4seniors.org.