Emergency Planning and Disaster Supplies
Emergency Planning | Creating a disaster plan | Emergency planning for people with special needs
Emergency Planning
Immediately after an emergency, essential services may be cut-off and local
disaster relief and government responders may not be able to reach you right
away. Even if they could reach you, knowing what to do to protect yourself
and your household is essential. This chapter describes how to prepare for
any kind of disaster. It also provides specific information about emergency
water and food, and a recommended disaster supply kit.
Creating a disaster plan
One of the most important steps you can take in preparing for emergencies
is to develop a household disaster plan.
- Learn about the natural disasters that could occur in your community
from your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter.
Learn whether hazardous materials are produced, stored or transported
near your area. Learn about possible consequences of deliberate acts
of terror. Ask how to prepare for each potential emergency and how to
respond. For more information call 1-866-GET-INFO (that's 1-866-438-4636)
or visit www.redcross.org.
- Talk with employers and school officials about their emergency response
plans.
- Talk with your household about potential emergencies and how to respond
to each. Talk about what you would need to do in an evacuation.
- Plan how your household would stay in contact if you were separated.
Identify two meeting places: the first should be near your home in case
of fire, perhaps a tree or a telephone pole; the second should be away
from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.
- Pick a friend or relative who lives out of the area for household members
to call to say they are okay.
- Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by telephones. Teach children how
and when to call 911.
- Make sure everyone in your household knows how and when to shut off
water, gas, and electricity at the main switches. Consult with your local
utilities if you have questions.
- Take a first aid and CPR class. Local American Red Cross chapters can
provide information. Official certification by the American Red Cross
provides "Good Samaritan" law protection for those giving first aid.
- Reduce the economic impact of disaster on your property and your household's
health and financial well-being.
- Review property insurance policies before disaster strikes make
sure policies are current and be certain they meet your needs (type
of coverage, amount of coverage, and hazard covered flood, earthquake)
- Protect your household's financial well-being before a disaster
strikes review life insurance policies and consider saving money
in an "emergency" savings account that could be used in any crisis.
It is advisable to keep a small amount of cash or traveler's checks
at home in a safe place where you can quickly gain access to it
in case of an evacuation.
- Be certain that health insurance policies are current and meet
the needs of your household.
- Consider ways to help neighbors who may need special assistance, such
as the elderly or the disabled.
- Make arrangements for pets. Pets are not allowed in public shelters.
Service animals for those who depend on them are allowed.
Emergency planning for people
with special needs
If you have a disability or special need, you may have to take additional
steps to protect yourself and your household in an emergency. If you know
of friends or neighbors with special needs, help them with these extra precautions.
Examples include:
- Hearing impaired may need to make special arrangements to receive
a warning.
- Mobility impaired may need assistance in getting to a shelter.
- Households with a single working parent may need help from others
both in planning for disasters
and during an emergency.
- Non-English speaking people may need assistance planning for and
responding to emergencies.
- Community and cultural groups may be able to help keep these populations
informed.
- People without vehicles may need to make arrangements for transportation.
- People with special dietary needs should have an adequate emergency
food supply.
- Find out about special assistance that may be available in your community.
Register with the office of emergency services or fire department for
assistance, so needed help can be provided quickly in an emergency.
- Create a network of neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers to
aid you in an emergency. Discuss your needs and make sure they know
how to operate necessary equipment.
- Discuss your needs with your employer.
- If you are mobility impaired and live or work in a high-rise building,
have an escape chair.
- If you live in an apartment building, ask the management to mark accessible
exits clearly and to make arrangements to help you evacuate the building.
- Keep extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, food
for guide or hearing-ear dogs, or other items you might need. Also,
keep a list of the type and serial numbers of medical devices you need.
- Those who are not disabled should learn who in their neighborhood
or building is disabled so that they may assist them during emergencies.
- If you are a caregiver for a person with special needs, make sure
you have a plan to communicate if an emergency occurs.
Emergency Planning and Disaster Supplies
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