Disaster Preparedness for Individuals with Access & Functional Needs

Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs - FEMA 476

Preparation may seem like a lot of work. It is.

Preparing does take time and effort. So do a little at a time, as your energy and budget permit. The important thing is to start preparing. The more you do, the more confident you will be that you can protect yourself, your family, and your belongings.

Establish a Personal Support Network

A personal support network is made up of individuals who will check with you in an emergency to ensure you are O.K. and to give assistance if needed. This network can consist of friends, roommates, family members, relatives, personal attendants, co-workers, and neighbors.

Important Considerations

• · Some people rely on personal assistance services (attendants), which may not be available after a disaster.
• · Your support network should include different people than those who are your personal attendants.
• · If you employ a personal attendant or use services like a home health agency, discuss a plan for emergencies with them. How will you get along in an emergency for as long as 7 days?

Even if you do not use a personal attendant do not depend on just one person. Consider developing a support network of at least three people at each location where you regularly spend time to assist you in coping with an emergency.

Sometimes a support network must be created on the spot. For example, you may find yourself in a shelter needing immediate assistance. Think about what you will need, how you want it done and what kind of person you would select.

Important Items to Discuss, Give to and Practice with Your Personal Support Network

• Make arrangements, prior to an emergency, for your support network to immediately check on you after a disaster and, if needed, offer assistance.
• Exchange important keys.
• Show where you keep emergency supplies.
• Share copies of your relevant emergency documents, evacuation plans and emergency health information card.
• Agree and practice a communications system regarding how to contact each other in an emergency. Do not count on the telephones working.
• Notify each other when you are going out of town and when you will return.
• The relationship should be mutual. Learn about each other's needs and how to help each other in an emergency. (e.g., You could be responsible for food supplies and preparation, organizing neighborhood watch meetings, interpreting, etc.)

Traveling

When staying in hotels/motels, identify yourself to registration desk staff as a person who will need assistance in an emergency and state the type of assistance you may need.

Health Card

An emergency health information card:

• Communicates to rescuers what they need to know about you if they find you unconscious or incoherent, or if they need to quickly help evacuate you.
• Should contain information about:
  • Medications
  • Equipment you use
  • Allergies and sensitivities
  • Communication difficulties
  • Preferred treatment
  • Treatment-medical providers
  • Important contact people

Make multiple copies of this card to keep in emergency supply kits, car, work, wallet (behind driver's license or primary identification card), wheelchair pack, etc.

Emergency Contact List

In the event of a major emergency or disaster, local communication lines are often overloaded or damaged, making it difficult to reach people nearby. That’s why it’s important to designate several trusted relatives or friends who live at least 100 miles away to serve as out-of-area contacts. These individuals can act as a central point of communication for your family.

It's often easier to make long-distance calls from a disaster zone than to reach others within the same affected area. All household members should know to contact your designated out-of-area person to share their location and condition. Once connected, that person can help relay messages to other friends and family, reducing the need for calls into and out of the affected zone and easing the strain on local phone lines.

In addition to your emergency contacts, maintain a comprehensive list of key people and organizations who may be important in a crisis. This list should include your:

• Personal support network (neighbors, caregivers, close friends)
• Medical providers (doctors, therapists, specialists)
• Equipment suppliers (for medical or mobility needs)
• Utility companies
• Employers
• Schools and day care centers for children or dependents

Having this information organized and accessible can make a big difference in how quickly and safely you and your family can respond during an emergency.

Emergency Documents

Important Information Typically Needed After a Disaster

• Store in your home emergency supply kits.
• Life-saving info (e.g., specs for adaptive equipment or medical devices) and medication lists should be in all emergency kits.
• Other documents to store with home emergency pack:
  • Family records
  • Wills
  • Deeds
  • Social Security numbers
  • Charge and bank accounts

Tips

• Keep documents in sealed freezer bags
• Send a copy to out-of-state contacts

Conduct an "Ability Self-Assessment"

Evaluate your capabilities, limitations and needs, as well as your surroundings to determine what type of help you will need in an emergency.

Questions to Consider

1. Will you be able to independently shut off the necessary utilities (gas, water, electricity)?
   • Do you know where shut-off valves are?
   • Can you get to them?
   • Can you find and use the right wrench to turn those handles?
2. Can you operate a fire extinguisher?
   • Have you practiced?
   • Will extended handles make these items usable for you?
3. Will you be able to carry your evacuation kit?
   • What do you need to do in order to carry it?
   • How much can you carry regularly?
   • Do you have duplicates at other locations?
4. Have you moved or secured large objects that might block your escape path?
5. Do you know first aid, such as how to stop bleeding, or hands on CPR?

Write Instructions

• How to turn off utilities (color-code or label for quick ID):
  • Gas valve (next to meter) – Blue
  • Circuit breaker – Red
  • Water valve – Green
• How to operate and move essential equipment (attach instructions to devices)
• How to safely transport you (include areas of vulnerability)
• How to provide personal assistance services

Reminders

• Assistants must practice cleanliness and avoid contact with the mouth. Keep latex gloves in your kit for hygiene assistance.
• List personal care needs and how to assist
• Create a map for locating meds, aids, and supplies; share with your support network
• Plan your evacuation routes and be aware of barriers
• Secure heavy objects and ensure multiple clear exit paths

Communication: Practice Assertiveness Skills

Take charge and practice how to quickly explain to people how to move your mobility aids or how to move you safely and rapidly. Be prepared to give clear, specific and concise instructions and directions to rescue personnel, i.e.

• "Take my oxygen tank."
• "Wake my communication device from under the bed."

Be brief and direct.

• Firefighter's carry may be hazardous; provide alternatives

Request accommodations when necessary. For example, if you are unable to wait in long lines for extended periods of time, for such items as water, food, and disaster relief applications, practice clearly and concisely explaining why you cannot wait in the line.

Supplies to Keep with You at All Times

Packing/Container Suggestions

Pack a fanny pack, back pack or drawstring bag which can be hung from a wheelchair, scooter or other assistive device with:

1. Emergency health information card
2. Instructions on personal assistance needs
3. Copy of emergency documents
4. Essential medications/copies of prescriptions (at least one week)
5. Flashlight on key ring
6. Signaling device (whistle, screecher, etc.)
7. Small battery-operated radio and extra batteries

Disability-Related Supplies for Emergency Kits

Storage Tips

• Store in easy-to-reach areas
• Keep separate and clearly labeled
• Place on top of other supplies

Plan for Two Weeks of Supplies

• Medication syringes
• Colostomy, respiratory, catheter supplies
• Padding, distilled water
• Respirators, masks, air-filtering supplies (for respiratory or chemical sensitivities)

Note: Do not expect shelters or first aid stations to have your supplies.

If cost is an issue, contact disability-specific organizations (e.g., MS Society, UCP, Arthritis Foundation) for help with extra supplies or meds.

Medication

Ideal Supply

• 7–14 day supply of essential meds (heart, BP, birth control, diabetic, psychiatric, etc.)
• If not possible, aim for at least 3 days

Work With Your Doctor

Work with your doctor(s) to obtain an extra supply of medications, as well as extra copies of prescriptions. Ask if it would be safe to go without one dosage periodically, until an adequate supply has been accumulated? Make several copies of your prescriptions and put one copy in each of your survival kits, car kit, wallet, with your Emergency Documents and your evacuation plan.

Ask your provider or pharmacist about the shelf life and storage temperature sensitivities of your medication. Ask how often you should rotate stored medication to ensure that the effectiveness of the medication does not weaken due to excess storage time. If you are on medications which are administered to you by a clinic or hospital (such as methadone, or chemo or radiation therapy) ask your provider how you should plan for a 3 - 14 day disruption.

Smokers

Smoking may not be allowed in shelters. Stock nicotine gum or patches in your kit.

Health Care

Life in shelters may increase risk of illness—pack vitamins or meds to prevent/care for sickness.

Equipment and Assistive Devices

Tips for Securing Items

• Store in consistent, secure, and accessible places
• Examples:
  • Glasses/hearing aids: keep in container attached to nightstand using string or Velcro
  • Oxygen tank: attach to wall
  • Wheelchair: lock and place near bed

Include the Following

• Hearing aids, prosthetics
• Mobility aids: cane, crutches, walker
• Respirators, service animal gear
• Communication devices (AAC, electronic communicators)
• Artificial larynx, sanitary aids
• Batteries, glasses, contacts and cleaning supplies

Laptop Users

Consider buying a power converter to use your laptop in a car (12 volts or less).