Emergency Preparedness

Discuss

With your family or household members, discuss how to prepare and respond to the types of emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.

Identify

Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and how you will work together as a team.

Practice

Practice as many elements of your plan as possible.


Plan for the emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live

  • Be familiar with natural disaster risks in your community.
  • Consider how you will respond to emergencies that can happen anywhere, such as home fires and floods.
  • Consider how you will respond to emergencies that are unique to your region, such as volcanoes, tsunamis or tornadoes.
  • Think about emergencies that may require your family to shelter in place (such as a winter storm), vs. emergencies that may require evacuation (such as a hurricane).

Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency

  • Choose two places to meet up:
    • Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire
    • Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate
  • Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should carry emergency contact information in writing and saved on their cell phones. Make sure places where your children spend time also have these contact numbers, like at school or daycare.
  • Your plan should account for family members who may live elsewhere during the year, such as members of the military on deployment or students away at college, or those who travel frequently.
    • How will you need to adapt your plan if they are at home?
    • What will you need to do differently if they are away?

Emergency Contact Card

Make cards for the whole family in case you are separated during an emergency.

Download Template >>

Plan what to do if you have to evacuate

  • Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there, such as:
    • A hotel/motel
    • The home of friends or relatives a safe distance away
    • An evacuation shelter
  • Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Grab your emergency kit, just like you will in a real emergency, then drive your planned evacuation route. Plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable. Make sure you have locations and maps saved on devices such as cell phones and GPS units and on paper.
  • Plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes. Remember, if it’s not safe for you to stay home, it’s not safe for your pets either.

Plan for everyone in your home


 

Resources on Emergency Preparedness & Recovery

Information Specific to a Particular Disability:

Disaster Preparedness Services

First Responder Resources

Job Accommodation Network

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Resources

KU Research & Training Center on Independent Living

Plan to let loved ones know you’re safe

If your community experiences a disaster, be sure to register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website to let your family and friends know you are safe.

Or, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and select the prompt for “Disaster” to register yourself and your family.

Read more tips for reconnecting with loved ones after a disaster or emergency.


Download the FREE Emergency App

Find our Emergency App in the Apple Store » or Google Play »

Aplicación de Emergencias – ahora disponible en español » también!

More Preparedness Resources


The workshops will be held by an advocate certified by FEMA and Homeland security in disaster planning for people with special needs.

Disaster Preparedness for People With Disabilities has been designed to help people who have physical, visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities to prepare for natural disasters and their consequences.


Useful links for Disaster Planning:

Individuals with Disabilities and Others with Access and Functional Needs

Disaster Safety & Preparedness Guide for Seniors & People with Disabilities

 Guide for Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Preparedness Planning
This guide is primarily intended to assist people involved in preparedness planning


 

Some members of your household may need special accommodation during an emergency, which means planning ahead is even more crucial.

Disaster PLanning HQ

For People with Disabilities and Seniors

Create your Emergency Plan in Just 3 Steps

Step 1

With your family or household members, discuss how to prepare and respond to the types of emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.

Step 2

Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and how you will work together as a team.

Step 3

Practice as many elements of your plan as possible.

Disaster Plan

Include Common Emergency Scenarios When You Plan

Plan for the emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live

  • Be familiar with natural disaster risks in your community.
  • Consider how you will respond to emergencies that can happen anywhere, such as home fires and floods.
  • Consider how you will respond to emergencies that are unique to your region, such as volcanoes, tsunamis or tornadoes.
  • Think about emergencies that may require your family to shelter in place (such as a winter storm), vs. emergencies that may require evacuation (such as a hurricane).

Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency

  • Choose two places to meet up:
    • Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire
    • Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate
  • Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should carry emergency contact information in writing and saved on their cell phones. Make sure places where your children spend time also have these contact numbers, like at school or daycare.
  • Your plan should account for family members who may live elsewhere during the year, such as members of the military on deployment or students away at college, or those who travel frequently.
    • How will you need to adapt your plan if they are at home?
    • What will you need to do differently if they are away?
Family planning

Emergency Contact Card

Make cards for the whole family in case you are separated during an emergency.

Download Template >>

Plan what to do if you have to evacuate

  • Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there, such as:
    • A hotel/motel
    • The home of friends or relatives a safe distance away
    • An evacuation shelter
  • Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Grab your emergency kit, just like you will in a real emergency, then drive your planned evacuation route. Plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable. Make sure you have locations and maps saved on devices such as cell phones and GPS units and on paper.
  • Plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes. Remember, if it’s not safe for you to stay home, it’s not safe for your pets either.

Plan for everyone in your home

Some members of your household may need special accommodation during an emergency, which means planning ahead is even more crucial.

Earthquake Rules

Resources on Emergency Preparedness & Recovery

Information Specific to a Particular Disability:

Disaster Preparedness Services

First Responder Resources

Job Accommodation Network

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Resources

KU Research & Training Center on Independent Living

Plan to let loved ones know you’re safe

If your community experiences a disaster, be sure to register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website to let your family and friends know you are safe.

Or, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and select the prompt for “Disaster” to register yourself and your family.

Read more tips for reconnecting with loved ones after a disaster or emergency.

Senior holding meds

Download the FREE Emergency App

Find our Emergency App in the Apple Store » or Google Play »

Aplicación de Emergencias – ahora disponible en español » también!

More Preparedness Resources


The workshops will be held by an advocate certified by FEMA and Homeland security in disaster planning for people with special needs.

Disaster Preparedness for People With Disabilities has been designed to help people who have physical, visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities to prepare for natural disasters and their consequences.


Useful links for Disaster Planning:

Individuals with Disabilities and Others with Access and Functional Needs

Disaster Safety & Preparedness Guide for Seniors & People with Disabilities

 Guide for Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Preparedness Planning
This guide is primarily intended to assist people involved in preparedness planning

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