Disasters may vary in type and scope and impact everyone. But, disasters affect people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs more. Functional Assessment Service Teams (FAST) can help get the resources people need to safely and independently stay in a disaster shelter.
Responsibilities
FAST members will:
- Discover needed resources and support for individuals.
- Assess the need for:
- personal assistance services
- durable medical equipment
- consumable medical supplies
- prescribed medications
- Initiate service plans to meet essential functional needs.
- Provide technical help to shelter staff related to resources.
- Provide ongoing coordination and collaboration with shelter management.
Qualifications
- Two years of experience working with and assessing the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
- Knowledge of the disability and access and functional needs community. Knowledge of resources, support services, benefit programs, and disaster aid programs.
- Good interpersonal skills. Members communicate and interact with a variety of staff, volunteers, and members of the community. Must be diplomatic and effective in emergency situations.
- Completion of FAST training.
- Ability to travel as required and work under difficult and stressful situations.
- Available for quick deployment
FAST members must become registered volunteer emergency workers with the Kitsap Department of Emergency Management (KCDEM.)
Limitations
Participants in FAST contribute only if:
- Their personal safety, family safety, and personal property concerns are addressed first.
- Enrollment with KCDEM happens prior to a mission.
- Advanced training in and understanding of their program happens beforehand.
- They are given a mission number.
Training, Classes & Exercises
All FAST members will receive a full-day orientation training, as well as ongoing training 2-4 times per year.
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Helpful Links
- Become a registered volunteer emergency worker
- California Functional Assessment Service Team (FAST) Program (source: State of California Dept of Social Services)
- Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters (PDF) (source: FEMA)
- Coalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning (source: WA Independent Living Council)
- Access and Functional Needs (source: WA DEM)
