Disaster Preparedness For Persons With Disabilities

Special emergency preparedness instructions must be given to citizens in your communities that are members of special needs populations or are participating in activities being conducted at facilities where large groups of people are congregated.

Meet with household members or your personal care attendant to discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes, floods and other emergencies that might occur in your community.

Instructions

Determine what you will need to do for each type of emergency.

• Create a plan with family or neighbors in order to obtain emergency information or assistance in an evacuation. If possible begin preparations for evacuation early.
• People with disabilities have the same choices as other community residents about whether to evacuate their homes and where to go when an emergency threatens. Listen to the advice of local officials. Decide whether it is better to leave the area, stay with a friend or go to a public shelter. Each of these decisions requires planning and preparation.
• Create a self-help network of relatives, friends or co-workers to assist in an emergency. Make sure they know where you keep your emergency supplies. Give a key to a neighbor or friend who may be able to assist you in a disaster.
• Check for hazards in the home. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a home hazard.
• Have disaster supplies on hand. In addition to the basic items in your disaster supply kit make sure your kit includes any special diet items, prescription drugs and the name and phone number of your physician and pharmacy.
• Anchor items such as medical equipment, heavy appliances, bookcases, and hanging plants. Place heavy objects on low shelves. Move beds away from heavy picture frames and windows.
• Remove barriers such as bookcases which may block your safe exit after a disaster. Install security night lights to provide emergency lighting if the power goes off.
• Wear a medical alert tag or bracelet to identify your disability.
• Know the location and availability of more than one facility if you are dependent on a dialysis machine or other life-sustaining equipment or treatment.
• If you have a speech, language, or hearing disability tap the space bar when calling 9-1-1 to indicate a TDD call. Store writing pads and pencils to communicate with others. Remind friends that you cannot completely hear warnings or emergency instructions. Ask them to be your source of emergency information as it comes over their radio.
• If you are visually impaired keep extra canes well placed around the home and office, even if you use a guide dog. Store extra food, water, and supplies for your dog. If you have a guide dog remember that the dog may become confused or disoriented in an emergency.
• Remember, in most states guide dogs for persons with disabilities are allowed to stay in emergency shelters with their owners.
• If you use a wheelchair tie a lightweight drawstring bag to the wheelchair where you can keep medicines, sanitary aides, a hard-hat, a small flashlight, and a horn to signal for help. Show relatives and friends how to operate your wheelchair so they can move you if necessary. Make sure friends know the size of your wheelchair in case it has to be transported. It's also a good idea to store a manual wheelchair at a neighbor's home, school, or your workplace.

Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division