FEMA announces interim release of Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 301

FEMA has announced the interim release of the Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 301 (CPG-301): Emergency Management Planning Guide for Special Needs Populations. CPG-301 is designed to aid tribal, state, territorial and local governments in planning for individuals with special needs during an emergency.

Following an assessment of emergency operations plans in 2006, the DHS Nationwide Plan Review Phase 2 Report concluded that ‘substantial improvement is necessary to integrate people with disabilities in emergency planning and readiness.’ CPG-301 was developed to address this shortfall with respect to people with disabilities, the elderly, and other individuals with special needs.

CPG-301 was developed jointly by FEMA and the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. The interim guide reflects extensive input from key federal, state, and local government partners, along with nongovernmental organizations representing special needs communities.

CPG-301 follows the approach taken by the National Response Framework in defining special needs populations. The guide outlines how involving special needs populations in planning, enables emergency managers to address the function-based needs of individuals.

CPG-301 is the second of a series of guides being released by DHS/FEMA to provide comprehensive guidance on developing emergency plans. CPG-301 will remain an interim document while feedback on field experience with this guide is sought from emergency managers during 2008. Over the next several months, this will include a series of forums that will be held and an open comment period conducted prior to finalizing the document.

More information and consultation details can be found at http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=45436

•Date: 19th August 2008• Region: US •Type: Article •Topic: Emergency planning
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