Regional planning efforts encourage coordination between senior care facilities and emergency managers in New Jersey.

Abstract

Senior care facilities house populations that are highly vulnerable to impacts from natural hazard events. Recent events in Florida and Texas highlight the need for senior care facilities to prepare to shelter-in-place during and immediately after a natural hazard event occurs and be self-sufficient for extended periods afterward. Interviews with emergency managers and senior facility administrators in New Jersey emphasize how regional planning efforts can be used successfully to improve preparedness at senior facilities and coordination with the emergency response community. While preparedness efforts vary across New Jersey, the southern region has shown success through focused connections between facilities and emergency managers that have led to successful coordination of emergency evacuation of facilities.