THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	118
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

DEVELOPING HAWAII'S NATIONAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING AND CONSULTATION PROGRAM FOR PRIVATE, GOVERNMENTAL, AND NON-PROFIT ENTITIES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON AT-RISK COMMUNITIES.

     WHEREAS, the Legislature has acknowledged the importance of Hawaii's kupuna and through Act 285, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, has established the Joint Legislative Committee on Family Caregiving; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature further acknowledged the need to assist frail and vulnerable elders by enacting legislation to provide for adult protective services, to protect the structural integrity of nursing homes and other institutions, to maintain the safety of elderly residents in condominiums, and other measures that will assist elders who are "aging in place" when a natural disaster occurs"; and

     WHEREAS, in the event of a natural disaster, there exists the potential for great harm and injury to the elderly and persons with disabilities, absent adequate natural disaster preparation and training; and

     WHEREAS, during Hurricane Rita, a number of nursing home residents died in New Orleans due to a lack of preparedness, and similar incidents in Hawaii should be avoided by preparing for hurricanes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters; and

     WHEREAS, large numbers of elders live alone and may be in need of assistance in the event of a natural disaster, especially if separated from family, friends, and caregivers; and

     WHEREAS, the elderly who live in condominiums and other multi-unit buildings are at greater risk because many buildings do not have emergency plans or procedures to meet the immediate and short-term needs of their residents who are aged or who may have disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, recent federal legislation has established the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center at the University of Hawaii to conduct research and develop specific models and tools for monitoring natural hazards and evaluating risks to urban areas, while planning for the response, recovery, and reconstruction of the community in the aftermath of natural disasters; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that the University of Hawaii Natural Disaster Preparedness Training Center is requested to include in its work program a component that addresses the needs of Hawaii's at-risk elderly and persons with disabilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii Natural Disaster Preparedness Training Center is requested to include in its plans for developing a disaster preparedness program for at-risk elderly and persons with disabilities, the Joint Legislative Committee on Family Caregiving, Kupuna Caucus, and other interested organizations and persons; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the University of Hawaii Natural Disaster Preparedness Training Center, Director of Human Services, Director of Health, Executive Director of the Executive Office On Aging, Chairperson of the Policy Advisory Board on Elderly Affairs, Executive Director of the Disability and Communication Access Board, and the Executive Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

NATURAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING FOR AT-RISK COMMUNITIES.