Disaster Planning

It’s not pleasant to think about, but disasters like Katrina and 9-11 remind us that we should be prepared for disasters. Do you have a plan? The following information includes a Planning Checklist, Recommended Items for a Disaster Supply Kit, Pet and Service Animal Information and Resources (you are welcome to come in and use computers at our office for your research needs). The list really is very practical and we encourage you to gather the recommended items so you, too, can be prepared. Please call us if you have any questions.

Disaster Planning Checklist

  • Meet with your family and discuss your designated meeting and check-in locations after a disaster. Discuss the types of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
  • Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hazard. In certain circumstances, the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.
  • Advocate for yourself. Practice how to quickly explain either orally or in writing to people the best way to guide or move you and your adaptive equipment, safely and rapidly.
  • If you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information list notes the best way to communicate with you. This may be by writing notes, pointing to letters, words or pictures, or finding a quiet place.
  • Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact so all your family members have a single point of contact.
  • Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
  • Check your insurance coverage—flood damage is not usually covered by home owners’ insurance.
  • Use a weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every six months as you do with your smoke detectors.
  • Get cash—preferably in small bills, credit cards, checkbook and ATM card.
  • Take pictures or video of your home for insurance purposes.
  • Keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle.
  • Make copies of important documents and keep them in a waterproof container (birth certificate, passport, license, insurance information, and proof of address.)
  • Install at least one smoke detector on each level of your home outside sleeping areas. If you are deaf or have hearing loss, install a system that has flashing strobe lights to get your attention.
  • If possible, purchase a generator and fuel to run it. Place it outside in a well-ventilated area. Consider purchasing a carbon monoxide detector too.
  • Determine an alternate place to stay during a disaster—an emergency shelter, hotel, neighbor’s house, friend’s home or a relative’s home.

Stock a disaster supply kit

Recommended Items for a Disaster Supply Kit

  • First aid kit, essential medications including prescriptions. Keep at least a two-week supply of essential medications with you at all times. Work with your physician to get extra supplies of medications and extra copies of prescriptions. Include a list of the prescription name, dosage, frequency, physician and pharmacist. Also consider if medications need to be refrigerated, and if so, keep a cooler with an ice pack or other coolant system.
  • Three day supply of canned food and at least 3 gallons of water per person and can opener.
  • Medical equipment and assistive devices (glasses, hearing aides, catheters, augmentative communication devices, canes, walkers). Label each with your name and contact information. Be sure to have extra batteries and chargers.
  • Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bag.
  • One change of clothing and a sturdy pair of shoes (for each person in your family).
  • Telephones—fully charged cell phone with extra battery, battery-powered television, radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
  • Special items for infants, elderly, or family members with disabilities.
  • Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water if authorities advise you to (remember, you’ll need a professional to turn them back on) wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, if needed.
  • Disinfectant and household bleach.
  • Spare car keys, local, state, regional maps.
  • NOAA weather radio frequency and local radio frequencies
  • Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of family, friends, and people who can provide assistance with evacuation.
  • Whistle or signal flare.
  • Matches or lighter in a water-proof container and fire extinguisher.
  • Sanitation and hygiene items, including soap, denture care, absorbent pads, etc.
  • List of emergency contact information including your support network members in and out of the region, service providers, etc.

Pet and Service Animal Information

Plan for the care of your pets, if you have to evacuate your home. Pets, unlike service animals, will only be allowed in designated, pet-friendly shelters. Check with your local Emergency Management Office to see if there is one in your area, so it is best to decide now where you will take your pet if you must leave. Remember to take a leash, muzzle, food, water, immunization records, any medications, and a carrier or cage.

Service animals are allowed in hotels or motels and Red Cross shelters. However, these places cannot care for your animal. When you leave your home, remember to take a collar, harness, identification tags, records of vaccinations, medications, veterinarian contact, and food for your service animal with you.

Resources

There are many on-line resources for you to get more information on disaster preparedness. If you do not have computer access at home, you may visit your local public library or Independence Empowerment Center to do more research.