October 2007
I’m no expert when it comes to disaster or emergency preparedness. I’ve been watching the media coverage of the Southern California Wildfires and thinking, there is absolutely no way that I would be prepared to leave if I had to. My idea of disaster prep until these recent fires was something like, Get my cat, Get my chocolate and Get out.
Everyone needs to take responsibility to prepare themselves, those they love and their community for a disaster. People with disabilities who rely on medical services, adaptive equipment and other people to maintain their independence must do the same.
It can seem like an extremely daunting task to even begin to think about how to prepare yourself, but the good news is there are experts who can offer guidance and help to break the process into simple steps. There are several steps that you can take today to get yourself and your family ready.
Step 1: Establish a Personal Support Network
A personal support network is made up of individuals who will check in with you during an emergency to make sure that you are O.K. and give assistance if needed. These should be people who are regularly in the same area as you, like neighbors, friends and co-workers. Some people with disabilities rely on personal attendants but those individuals may not be available in the event of a major disaster.
You cannot depend on one person, but should try to identify at least three people at each location, that can assist you. You need to show members of your support network where you keep your emergency supplies, how to work your adaptive equipment, and how you will communicate in an emergency when telephones and email may not be working.
Step 2: Create an Emergency Health information Card
An emergency health information card should have information about your disability, medications, equipment that you use, and any allergies or sensitivities. Be sure to list any communication difficulties you have and the contact information for your medical providers and other important people.
Copies of the card should be kept in your emergency supply kits, car, at work, in your wallet and in your wheelchair pack. Share copies of the card with members of your personal support network.
Step 3: Conduct an Ability Self Assessment
An ability self-assessment will help you evaluate the type of assistance you will need in an emergency as well as your surroundings. It asks questions like; can you operate a fire extinguisher? Can you independently turn off your utilities?
This type of self-assessment has general questions that everyone should answer and others that focus on particular disabilities. To find an ability self assessment log on to www.espfocus.org to access the report, Emergency Preparedness: Taking Responsibility for Your Safety: Tips for People with Disabilities and Activity Limitations
There are many more steps to take to get ready for a disaster, but thankfully there are many more resources too. I must give credit to June Isaacson Kailes, a disability policy consultant whose website (www.jik.com) contained the material on which this short article was based. Log on today!