Emergency Preparedness FAQ

• Does preparing for an emergency mean making sure of escape routes? 
• I have heard that it’s a good idea to have an emergency supplies kit.  What should be in it?
• I think I will need assistance in an emergency situation; what are some things I can do to help facilitate that?
• Will all the first responders to an emergency situation be trained on how to treat people with disabilities?
• I need to receive treatments at a facility in order to maintain my independence and the machines on which I depend are not personally transportable by me. What can I do in this case?
• Are there issues I may have to deal with or be aware of that are specific to my disability?
• Where can I find further resources about emergency preparedness?

Updated March, 2010

Q. Does preparing for an emergency mean making sure of escape routes? 

A. That’s only one part of it.  One of the first things you can do is to check for hazards in the home.  During and right after a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause fire should be considered a hazard.  Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures, or overhead lights that could fall in an earthquake or a flood and block an escape path.

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Q. I have heard that it’s a good idea to have an emergency supplies kit.  What should be in it?

A. There are many suggestions for the items in an emergency supplies kit.  The items below are just suggestions for a basic supplies kit.  Your personal kit may look different.

• Emergency Contact Info
• First Aid Kit
• Cooler
• Water
• Matches or other type of lighter
• Food (non-perishable)
• Prescription & Non-Prescription Medicines
• Blanket
• Comfortable and Sturdy Shoes
• Change of Clothes
• Change of disposable undergarments/pads (if worn)
• Battery-Powered Radio
• Telephone (regular corded telephone--not totally dependent on power)
• Back-Up Pair of Glasses (if worn)
• Eye glass/contacts prescription (if worn)
• Extra Hearing Aid Batteries (if worn)
• Flashlight & Extra Batteries
• $20-50 Cash
• Non-Electric Can Opener
• Bottle Opener

It is also a good idea to have your kit contain:

• Current prescriptions names and dosages
• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors and pharmacist
• Detailed information about the specifications of your medication regimen (e.g. a list of times and quantities you are to take the medication)
• Complete list of ALL medications taking and dosages (can be obtained printed out from local pharmacy) Note: it is a good idea if you have used more than one pharmacy in the past, to consolidate to one so information is accurate and up to date.

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Q. I think I will need assistance in an emergency situation; what are some things I can do to help facilitate that?

A. Create a self-help network of relatives, friends or co-workers to assist in an emergency and include their name, address, all phone numbers and e-mail where they can be reached. If you think you may need assistance in a disaster, discuss your disability with relatives, friends, and co-workers and ask for their help. Perhaps even train them now, while no threat exists particularly if you have any communication difficulties or someone is not familiar with offering personal assistance. For example, if you need help moving or require special arrangements to receive emergency messages, make a plan with friends. Make sure they know where you keep emergency supplies. Give a key to a trusted neighbor or friend who may be able to assist you in a disaster.

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Q. Will all the first responders to an emergency situation be trained on how to treat people with disabilities?

A. Only in a perfect world would everyone know how to treat and interact with people with disabilities. Wearing medical alert tags or bracelets to identify your disability may help in case of an emergency.  This is especially true in cases where one’s disability is not plainly noticeable (e.g., deafness).

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Q. I need to receive treatments at a facility in order to maintain my independence and the machines on which I depend are not personally transportable by me. What can I do in this case?

Know the location and availability of more than one facility/medical equipment distributor/company. If you are dependent on a dialysis machine or other life-sustaining equipment or treatment plan ahead and know where you are able to get the treatment that you need in the area where you will be.

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Q. Are there issues I may have to deal with or be aware of that are specific to my disability?

A. Yes.  A brief list, but not a complete list, follows.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Individuals:

• When you dial 9-1-1, tap space bar to indicate TDD/TTY call.
• Store a writing pad and pencils to communicate with others.
• Keep a flashlight handy to signal whereabouts to other people and for illumination to aid in communication.
• Remind friends that you cannot hear warnings or emergency instructions. Ask them to help you understand emergency information as it comes over their radio.
• If you have a hearing-ear dog, be aware that the dog may become confused or disoriented in an emergency. Store extra food, water and supplies for your dog.

Blind/Vision Impaired:

• Make sure your preparedness kit contains extra cane tips or an extra telescoping cane.
• If you have a seeing-eye dog, be aware that the dog may become confused or disoriented in an emergency. Store extra food, water and supplies for your dog.
• Always have a portable radio with batteries in order to receive verbal broadcasts

Mobility Impaired:

• Store needed mobility aids (canes, walkers. wheelchairs, etc.) in a convenient and consistent place. If possible, have an extra lightweight, manual wheelchair to use in an emergency.
• Pack an extra bed sheet (or other large, tough material) in the event of needing to be lifted or transported
• In cases where you cannot transport a hoyer lift consider investing in a transfer board.
• Have a pair of heavy-duty gloves for wheeling or making your way over glass and other debris.
• If possible, have an extra, charged battery for a power wheelchair or scooter.
• If possible, strap battery charger to the back of wheelchair to remain with the chair if you are not able to retrieve it.
• If you are not used to using the wheelchair’s headrest and have one, consider putting the headrest on in the event you must remain in your wheelchair for a prolonged period of time.
• Owners of power equipment that plugs into an electrical outlet, should check with the manufacturers to see if an adapter is available that will let you charge the equipment through a car or truck lighter.
• A patch kit for flat tires and some extra inner tubes if possible.
• Practice alternative methods of evacuation in case you are not able to use your mobility device in an emergency.
  

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Q. Where can I find further resources about emergency preparedness?

A. There are a number of websites that have information.  Listed below are some local, state and national resources about emergency preparedness.  Some of them are for the general public and some of them are specifically for people with disabilities.

Arlington County
www.arlingtonva.us/portals/topics/emergencypreparedness/
TopicsEmergencyPreparedness.aspx

Fairfax County
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem/

Loudoun County
www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=811&zoom_highlight=emergency

City of Alexandria
alexandriava.gov/fire/info/default.aspx?id=5176

Virginia
www.vaemergency.com/prepare/specneeds

National Organization on Disability’s
Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI)
www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=feature.showFeature&FeatureID=
334&C:\CFusion8\verity\Data\dummy.txt

The Red Cross
Preparedness Information for Seniors & People with Disabilities
www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_603_,00.html

Department of Homeland Security
www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html

Center for Disability and Special Needs Populations
www.disabilitypreparedness.com

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