FEMA worker will speak at meeting

EMERGENCY INFO COUNCIL

Roxann Crawford will be the featured speaker at the next Leisure World Emergency Information Council (EIC) meeting on Monday, March 18 in Clubhouse 3, Room 2, at 1:30 p.m.

According to the latest US Census, about 40% of Leisure World residents have one or more disabilities. People with disabilities are 2-4 times more likely to be injured or killed in a natural disaster. The keys to effective disaster preparedness— be informed, make a plan and take action—apply to everyone, but people with access and functional needs or disabilities should approach preparedness planning with additional considerations.

Crawford serves as a disability integration specialist for the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 9. She has been in the role since 2016. Previously, Crawford was a disability integration advisor on the National Incident Management Assistance Team – West, one of three elite national first response teams. As the regional subject matter expert, Crawford Roxann works with internal federal partners and external partners to bolster equality in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

Crawford partners with all federal program areas to educate and foster a whole community response that is fully inclusive of the needs of people with disabilities—providing direct programmatic and process review to create more inclusive and fully accessible options during disaster response and recovery, as well as identifying barriers and finding solutions. In her talk, she often uses stories to help people understand the challenges faced by those with disabilities that might not be apparent.

Crawford joined FEMA 20 years ago when she volunteered to leave her job as a Chicago firefighter and EMT to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. She joined FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration.

Crawford will provide insight into how vulnerable residents with disabilities can prepare for an emergency.

—Nick Massetti