Isolation & Quarantine
Vulnerable Population

Core Elements of Planning


KEY PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
Working Definition

Vulnerable Populations are people who need extra support to be prepared, as well as those that need community support to successfully respond and recover when disasters or emergencies strike. These are individuals who are:

• Unable or unwilling to fully utilize preparedness, response and recovery services
• Unable or unwilling to follow emergency instructions

Of particular concern is the need to effectively communicate with limited English-proficiency (LEP) residents, and to appreciate the cultural "frames" people of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds view and respond to emergencies. Accommodating those with physical disabilities, the chemically dependent, mentally ill, frail elderly and incarcerated also constitute a major body of work in terms of planning for and mounting an I & Q response.

Vision and Mission

Our Vision for vulnerable populations is: We see a community that is humane, inclusive and prepared.

Our Mission for vulnerable populations is: We will assure access to public health preparedness, response and recovery services for the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach residents in King County.

Audience Segments

The following are population segments identified to be especially at risk in a public health emergency:

• Physically Disabled
• Blind
• Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing
• Seniors
• Limited English or Non-English Proficient
• Children
• Homeless and Shelter Dependent
• Impoverished
• Mentally Disabled
• Medically Dependent, Medically Compromised
• Chemically Dependent
• Clients of Criminal Justice System
• Emerging or Transient Special Needs
• Undocumented Persons