Crashing the walls - Hurricane Katrina, with a surge of fury, punched through the walls of First Baptist Church in Gulfport, Miss. (Norm Miller/BP)Creating a Personal Support NetworkA personal support network can help people with special needs prepare for a disaster by helping them identify and get the resources they need to cope. Your network can help you practice vital activities before an emergency, such as evaluating your home or workplace, and assist you after a disaster happens.
-Organize a network for your home, school, workplace and any other place where you spend a lot of time.
-Do not depend on only one person. Include a minimum of three people in your network for each location where you regularly spend a lot of time during the week.
-Think of what your needs would be during a disaster and discuss these with each of your networks. Complete a written assessment of your needs with your network. This can help your network members learn the best ways to assist you and offer additional ideas for you to think about.
-Give your network members copies of your emergency information list, medical information list, disability-related supplies and special equipment list, evacuation plans, relevant emergency documents, and personal disaster plan when you complete them.
For more information about creating a personal support network and to complete a personal assessment, visit http://www2.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/create.html |
