PLAINFIELD – A free public forum and workshops for households having persons with disabilities, chronic illness or debilitating old age who want to be prepared for flood or fire evacuation and sheltering will be held June 1, at the Plainfield Town Hall from 2:30 to 5 p.m. This is also preparation for caregivers and shelter workers. This event includes informed speakers with strong experience for disaster readiness and the aftermath, as well as personalized workshops to review household plans.
Featured speakers include Jacque Kelley, emergency preparedness specialist with the Vermont Department of Health on the topic of “Preparing Your Household for Evacuation and Sheltering;” Kendra LaRoche, executive director of Special Needs Support Center, speaking about “Supporting Persons with Disabilities in a Public Shelter;” and Gary Gordon, emergency services coordinator for Washington County Mental Health, speaking about “Anxiety, Anger and Hopelessness During a Disaster.”
The second half of the event will focus on workshops and problem-solving, in direct conversation about “Go Bags, Documentation and Resources for Fast Departure;” “Household Discussions to Plan Escape Routes and Destinations;” “How to Acknowledge Strong Feelings in Disaster Times;” “Strategies for Shelter Workers to Meet Special Needs and Disabilities;” “Talking Together and Working as a Household Disaster Team;” and “Public Disaster Notifications to Reach Persons with Disabilities.”
Plainfield Town Hall is located at 18 High Street (Route 2) in Plainfield
