First Responder Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Training Video Series

About the Program

Category: Risk and Emergency Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The First Responder Access & Functional Needs (AFN) Training Video Series project was a collaborative effort led by the County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services to address the need to enhance first responder understanding of how to effectively engage individuals with disabilities in times of disaster. Working in partnership with members of the AFN community, as well as with first responders and subject matter experts, the County developed a training video series aimed at providing first responders with helpful information to consider when evacuating individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. The training series includes eight videos that are 8 to 10 minutes in length. Videos in the series address autism, Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss, blind and low vision, chronic illness, cognitive disabilities, deaf and hard of hearing, mental illness, and physical disabilities. In addition to producing the videos, one-page information sheets related to each video were also developed to highlight important talking points. San Diego County has been recognized for incorporating the needs of the AFN community throughout its disaster preparedness efforts; however, this innovative project was the first that was designed specifically to enhance the ability of first responders to engage the whole community.