FODAC Gets Contract with Georgia Emergency Management Agency

Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), a non-profit organization providing medical equipment and supplies to the disabled community, has announced that Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA) has contracted with it to serve as the statewide distributor of home medical equipment (HME) and will assist with technology in the event of a disaster.

In this role, FODAC will warehouse the HME and other equipment, then, working with GEMA, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the American Red Cross (ARC) of Georgia, will coordinate the delivery and distribution to emergency shelters around the state. GEMA, in collaboration with DHS, ARC and FODAC, will conduct training workshops at FODAC’s Stone Mountain facility to provide practical knowledge of HME use and how to manage and meet the needs of the disabled residents of emergency shelters.

“FODAC has a long, successful history of providing disaster assistance for people with disabilities,” said Charley English, director of GEMA/Homeland Security. “With FODAC’s continued partnership for storage and maintenance of the HME, Georgia is much better prepared to accommodate the needs of those with physical limitations in the event of an emergency.”

Since providing HME for disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, FODAC joined Georgia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), and began developing programs specific to the needs of the disabled during disaster relief. In 2010, FEMA released “Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters,” commonly known as the FNSS. This guidance is intended to ensure that individuals who have access and functional needs receive lawful and equal assistance before, during, and after public health emergencies and disasters.

Shortly thereafter, FODAC developed a “disability shelter kit,” in partnership with the Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross, consisting of common HME items that are usually left behind during an emergency evacuation, such as wheelchairs, portable ramps, hospital beds, bathroom aids and patient lifts.

In 2012, FODAC met with GEMA regarding the use of these kits in its disaster relief efforts to meet FNSS requirements. Earlier this year, GEMA contracted with FODAC to assemble and house new HME items purchased by GEMA. In the event of an emergency, FODAC will work with local emergency management to deliver and distribute the disability shelter kits, along with other donated medical equipment and supplies, to support those with physical disabilities affected by the event.

“We applaud the efforts of GEMA to make sure this project is integrated statewide,” said Chris Brand, president of FODAC. “Most individuals with access and functional needs can be accommodated in a general population shelter with minimal support. FODAC’s pre-packaged disability shelter kits can be easily incorporated into existing shelter plans and resources without incurring excessive additional costs. Along with the equipment delivered, FODAC will send trained delivery technicians who can assist the local emergency managers by matching the items correctly."

Over the past eight years, FODAC has provided disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Irene, Ike, Isaac, and, most recently, Sandy.

About FODAC

Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) helps people with injuries and disabilities of all ages regain their mobility, independence and quality of life. The non-profit organization provides more than $10 million annually in refurbished home medical equipment (HME) and home modifications in Georgia and across the United States, all at little or no cost to the recipients. A pioneer in re-use, FODAC keeps 200 tons of materials out of landfills each year by refurbishing and reissuing over 400 HME items every month, and is recognized nationally for best practices. For more information, visit www.fodac.org, or follow FODAC on Twitter and Facebook.