Sacramento, CA – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Cameron Moore, 916-612-1520
Communications and Marketing Manager, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC)
Sacramento, CA, August 18, 2021 – The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers Disability Disaster Access and Resources (DDAR) program has learned that PG&E has initiated the first Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) of the 2021 wildfire season. The current forecast (as of press time) includes 13 counties in the Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E’s) scope: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Napa, Plumas, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Yolo. The PSPS event is expected through Wednesday, August 18th, affecting a potential 48,000 customers.
Launched in April 2020, the Disability Disaster Access and Resources (DDAR) program, with the support of PG&E and Anthem Blue Cross, provides services to people with disabilities and older adults who utilize electricity powered medical devices and assistive technology as a part of their daily living needs in order to maintain their wellbeing, safety and independence before, during, and after an active Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), or other types of emergencies and disasters. Since it was first established, the DDAR program has provided services to over 3,000 people with disabilities and older adults.
Throughout the year, the California Disability Disaster Access and Resources program coordinates with nineteen local Independent Living Centers (ILCs)/Disability Disaster Access and Resource Centers (DDARCs) to deliver:
- Personal emergency preparedness support.
- Assistance with Medical Baseline and local emergency alert enrollment.
- Trainings on a series of disaster and related topics as well as assessing an individual’s needs order to maintain their independence during a PSPS, or other disasters or emergencies.
- Additional assistance based on resources available.
Individuals can apply for services on the DDAR website here: https://disabilitydisasteraccess.org/
Find the location of your local Disability Disaster Access & Resource Center here.
Find Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E) updates here.
2021 Disaster and Emergency Readiness Survey
CFILC’s Disability Disaster Access & Resources (DDAR) program needs your help to document disaster and emergency-related successes and gaps in your community, including electricity company shutoffs. Please assist us by filling out the 2021 Disaster and Emergency Readiness Survey and passing it on to others in the community. Your responses will help to grow and enhance the DDAR program. English version. Spanish version.
About the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) registered 501(c)(3) non-profit Corporation that increases access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities by building the capacity of Independent Living Centers throughout California. To learn more, please visit: cfilc.org.
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