Emergency Preparedness
Since September 11, 2001, Americans in the United States have a heightened sense of awareness regarding their surroundings and environment. Disasters, whether man-made or natural such as hurricanes and earthquakes, can leave many people unprepared to deal with the aftermath of the disaster. People with disabilities must take extra precaution due to limitations and medical needs. All citizens, including those with disabilities, should be prepared for a possible emergency situation. The following information will guide people with disabilities, as well as the people who support them, with information on how to be prepared for an emergency situation.
There are several steps that people with disabilities can take to ensure their safety and recovery from an emergency. The first step is to develop an emergency kit of supplies.
The following is an example list of emergency supplies that that will support the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Making a Plan
In addition to having emergency supplies, people with disabilities will need to make special plans and preparations in the event of an emergency situation. The following tips will assist in planning and preparation if an emergency arises:
- Contact your local emergency management office and register with them as an individual with disabilities or special needs. In Delaware, visit the Delaware Emergency Management Agency at 877-729-3362, or visit their website at www.dema.delaware.gov for more information.
- Create a personal support network of family and friends who will support you and your disability needs.
- Familiarize you personal support network with your disability needs such as how to operate tools and aids.
- Create a list of telephone numbers and addresses of your personal support network and develop a plan that will allow you to keep in contact with your network before, during, and after a disaster strikes.
- Make plans in advance for your service animal or pets.
- If you need to evacuate, consider how you will evacuate and where you will go.
National and Local Resources
The following is a list of national and local resources to assist people with disabilities in emergency preparedness.
Delaware Resources
Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA)
www.dema.delaware.gov
DEMA is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services in order to save lives, protect Delaware's economic base, and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Delaware Citizen Corps
www.delawarecitizencorps.org
Delaware Citizen Corps was created to help all Delawareans answer questions of emergency preparedness through public education, community outreach, training, and volunteer service. Delaware Citizen Corps has extensive web links on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.
The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula
www.redcrossdelmarva.org
The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
Delaware Animal Disaster Services www.dads4pets.org
The mission of the Delaware Disaster Service is to encourage guidance for families in preparing for disasters and to promote the safety and well being of all animals that may be adversely affected during any type of disaster.
National Resources
Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 301 for Special Needs Populations
Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=45435
CPG-301 is designed to aid tribal, state, territorial, and local governments in planning for individuals with special needs during an emergency.
DisabilityPreparedness.gov
www.disabilitypreparedness.gov
This website provides emergency preparedness information for individuals with disabilities and service/care providers.
The Ready Campaign
www.ready.gov
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with The Advertising Council, has sponsored a campaign to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all kinds of emergencies. Ready America offers preparedness resources for people with disabilities (http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html) and for seniors (http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/seniors.html).
