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Accessible preparedness: Fairfax County specialist urges documenting medical devices and language-access resources
Summary
An access and functional-needs specialist with Fairfax County emphasized documenting medical devices, including serial numbers, and noted the county's Community Emergency Response Guide is available in multiple languages to aid residents with access needs.
Crystal Goodwin, the access and functional needs specialist with the Department of Emergency Management and Security, told Mature Living viewers that preparedness must reflect disability and communication needs. "We also help plan for Fairfax County to make sure all of our plans are accessible and inclusive," she said, describing her role in community engagement and language access.
Goodwin recommended residents record manufacturer information and serial numbers for medical devices such as CPAP machines and hearing aids because some companies will replace equipment after a disaster if the owner can prove they had the device. She also noted the Community Emergency Response Guide is available in multiple languages: "It is available in Spanish and Korean, Vietnamese, and Mandarin," making materials more usable for Fairfax County's diverse population. Goodwin closed by urging eligible viewers to sign up for Fairfax Alerts and to use Community Connect so first responders have household information when they respond to 911 calls.
