Emergency Preparedness

DisasterAssistance.gov New!

This website is the result of Executive Order 13411, which requires the government to simplify the process of identifying and applying for disaster assistance. The site includes information about more than 40 kinds of disaster assistance. You can apply for assistance with a single, online application.

Access Board Emergency Evacuation Procedures

The Board is making its own evacuation plan for employees and visitors with disabilities publicly available, as well as summary on how it was developed, as a resource for other organizations who may implement or update their own plans.

Accommodating People With Disabilities In Disasters: A Reference Guide To Federal Law

Summarizes equal access requirements for people with disabilities as they relate to disaster care, housing and human services. This guide explains how applicable Federal laws relate to government entities and non-government, private sector and religious organizations. Read the complete guide by clicking here.

Administration on Aging (AoA) Emergency Preparedness & Response Information

Resources for all service providers, including Just in Case: Emergency Readiness for Older Adults and Caregivers, and links to other federal departments and national relief agencies.

After a Disaster - A Guide for Parents & Teachers

Whether a child has personally experienced trauma or has merely seen the event on television or heard it discussed by adults, it is important for parents and teachers to be informed and ready to help if reactions to stress begin to occur.

Bioterrorism & Related Issues

Comprehensive information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about bioterrorism agents (such as Anthrax), diseases and other threats.

Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) Project

A program funded by the Department of Homeland Security that educates emergency responders and deaf and hard of hearing consumer leaders on how to communicate in emergency situations to better prevent loss of life and property.

Creating an Evacuation Plan

Information from Ready.gov on how to create an evacuation plan in case of an emergency of natural disaster.

Developing a Family Communications Plan

Information from Ready.gov on how to prepare your family in case of an emergency or natural disaster.

Disability Preparedness Center

The National Center on Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities is focused on helping ensure that all individuals are included in the development of and inclusion in plans for protection from both natural and man-made emergencies.

DisabilityPreparedness.gov

Provides practical information on how people with and without disabilities can prepare for an emergency.

Disaster Assistance for People Affected by Recent Flooding

Homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding can apply for disaster relief assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To apply by phone call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362)/1-800-462-7585 TTY for people who are speech- or hearing-impaired. The toll-free number is open 24 hours a day.

Disaster Preparedness Tips for Emergency Management Personnel

Information on communicating during emergencies with people with limited speech. For more resources visit the Web site of the Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers.

Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities

Tips from the American Red Cross to help individuals to be prepared for emergencies in order to reduce the fear, panic and inconvenience that surrounds a disaster.

Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors

Red Cross planning reference developed by a group of older adults who were unprepared when a massive ice storm hit their area, resulting in a power outage. Other "Spotlights" on the page link to additional checklists and tips for specific disabilities.

DisasterHelp.gov

Provides information and services relating to the four pillars of all-hazards disaster management: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.

Emergency Management Research & People With Disabilities: A Resource Guide

The guide provides a listing and description of research projects funded by the federal government and nonfederal entities and research recommendations that have come out of conferences on emergency management and disability.

Emergency Preparation & People with Disabilities

Emergency preparedness is a critical topic for people with disabilities to live independently. This includes people who are older and may not consider themselves to have a disability. Learn more about emergency notification methods, accessible shelters and recovering after an emergency.

Emergency Preparedness Conference Materials

Executive summary, conference report and other materials from the Conference on Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities, held in September 2004. The conference was sponsored by the by The National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Organization on Disability.

Emergency Preparedness Initiative Guide for Emergency Managers, Planners & Responders

Guide developed by the National Organization on Disability highlights key disability concerns for officials and experts responsible for emergency planning in their communities.

Emergency Preparedness for Older Americans

Information from Ready.gov regarding preparing for the needs of older americans in an emergency situation.

Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities & Other Special Needs

Tips from Ready.gov regarding people with disabilities and other special needs in an emergency situation.

Emergency Procedures for Employees with Disabilities in Office Occupancies

U.S. Fire Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guide for facilities managers on the notification of an emergency situation and evacuation of a building involving individuals with disabilities.

Fire Safety for People with Disabilities

Information regarding fire safety for individuals with disabilities and their families and caregivers.

Getting Involved in Emergency Preparedness in Your Community

Information from DisabilityPreparedness.gov on the critical roles played by individuals with and without disabilities in emergency preparedness. As more people and organizations come together to expand this work, people with disabilities, their family and friends, and the community as a whole will benefit.

Individuals with Special Needs - Preparing & Planning for Emergencies

Fact sheet from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding steps people with special needs can take to prepare for an emergency or natural disaster.

Interim Emergency Management Planning Guide for Special Needs Populations

A guide for state, territorial, tribal and local emergency managers to use in the development of emergency operations plans (EOPs) that are inclusive of the entire population of a jurisdiction of any size. This guide specifically provides recommendations for planning for special needs populations. The entire document can be downloaded in text or .pdf formats.

National Center on Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities

Site is focused on ensuring that all individuals are included in the development of and inclusion in plans for protection in emergency planning.

National Organization on Disability (NOD) Emergency Preparedness Information

Information from the NOD on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. Includes links to reports and articles on the subject.

National Weather Radio (NWR) for Deaf & Hard of Hearing

General information on how to use NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) as an alerting tool for the deaf and hearing impaired.

National Weather Service (NWS)

Provides critical public safety information including weather forecasts, watches, warnings and advisories as well as links on weather safety and emergency preparedness.

Orientation Manual for First Responders on the Evacuation of People with Disabilities

Provides guidance to first responders on how best to perform a rescue using equipment and procedures for a safe evacuation of people with disabilities.

Planning for an Emergency - Neighborhoods & Apartments

Information from Ready.gov regarding how to develop a plan should their be an emergency or natural disaster in your community.

Prepare Yourself - Disaster Readiness Tips for Owners of Pets or Service Animals

Brochure from the National Organization on Disability provides tips for pet owners on how they can help ensure the safety of their animals during emergencies.

Preparing Makes Sense for Older Americans

Brochure from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlights the steps older Americans, and their families and caretakers, should take to prepare for emergencies. Document is in .pdf format. A text version of the brochure can be found here.

Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities & Special Needs

Brochure from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlights the steps Americans with disabilities and other special needs, and their families and caretakers, should take to prepare for emergencies. Document is in .pdf format. A text version of the brochure can be viewed by clicking here.

Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities & Other Special Needs

A resource booklet from the American Red Cross designed to assist people with disabilities in preparing for natural and other disasters and their consequences.

Preparing the Workforce for Everyone: Accounting for the Needs of People with Disabilities

A template of emergency preparedness guidelines for federal agencies from the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace.

Ready.gov

Information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on how to be prepared in case of a national emergency, including a possible terrorist attack. Includes information relevant to businesses, employees, families, individuals with disabilities and others.

Saving Lives: Including People with Disabilities in Emergency Planning

Report from the National Council on Disability regarding emergency planning and people with disabilities.

Self Care & Self-Help Following Disasters

Provides information on self-help in coping after a disaster and what to do if additional help is needed.

Shelter in Place

Information from Ready.gov on what to do during an emergency or natural disaster if it is safer to stay where you are, rather than evacuate.

Special Needs NOAA Weather Radio for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Individuals

The special-needs NOAA Weather Radio has recently been designed to adapt to the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Survivors of Disasters

Fact sheet examines three questions often asked by survivors: What symptoms can one experience as a result of disaster experiences? What factors increase the risk of readjustment problems? What can disaster survivors do to best recover from disaster stress?

Terrorism & Children

Discusses how to speak to your children about terrorism.

  • The White House: President George W. Bush
  • USA.gov: The U.S. government's official web portal.