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Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities

Find information put together by the AOA about Emergency Preparedness specifically for persons with disabilities. Access Oceanside Association gratefully acknowledges funding for this project from the Parksville Qualicum Foundation

Disasters can happen anywhere at any time. You may have advance warning, or not. Some geographic locations more at risk for certain types of natural disasters (Baker & Cormier, 2013). For example, in BC we may experience earthquakes. Other natural disasters can strike anywhere. For example, storms, flooding, and power outages can happen regardless of location.

 

Persons with Disabilities

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Persons with disabilities tend to be more vulnerable to adverse consequences in emergencies (Fox et al.,2007). This is because they may be unable to take protective action (Murray, 2011); it is too dangerous to evacuate, they are more affected by unfamiliar surroundings and change of routine, and/or their support systems fall apart (Rothman & Brown, 2007). Other factors include that their necessary assistive devices may be left behind during evacuation (Rooney & White, 2007) and a lack of access to medical
records (Jan & Lurie, 2012).

 

Persons with disability may also be less prepared (Levac et al., 2012; Tomio et al., 2012) due to a combination of factors, including lack of time or money to purchase supplies, lack of information (Levac et al., 2012), or trust in authorities and expectation of rescue (Hogaboom et al., 2013). Some may be unable, due to disability, to engage in preparedness activities (Tomio, et al., 2012). 

Resources for Persons with Disabilities

  • Know your community’s unique risks (e.g., earthquake, tsumani, etc.) and its emergency plans, including the location of shelters and their accessibility, as well as the evacuation routes from your community (Levac et al., 2012; Rooney & White, 2007).
     

  • Have an emergency kit, have an emergency plan for your family and home, and practice for emergencies (Baker & Cormier, 2013; Levac et al., 2012; Rooney & White, 2007).
     

  • Consider voluntary self-registration with Emergency Planners (Fox et al., 2007), including where you live and what sorts of assistance you might need in an emergency.
     

  • If you live alone, know how to turn off power, gas (if relevant), and water (Al-rousan et al., 2015; Baker & Cormier, 2013; Rooney & White, 2007).
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  • Medical Preparation:

  • Prepare and regularly update a brief medical history and carry it with you at all times, especially if you or your family member may not be able to communicate it (e.g., child, cognitive disability, etc.) (Baker & Cormier, 2013: Bloodworth et al., 2007; Jones et al., 2009; Murray, 2011). Store a copy with someone who lives elsewhere (Rothman & Brown, 2007). Include names and contact information for specialists as well as immunization records (Murray, 2011). You may wish to laminate it (Jones et al., 2009). Include your health care number (Public Safety Canada, 2010) and any supplementary insurance information.

  • Send an updated list of all medications and their dosages to someone who lives elsewhere (Rothman & Brown 2007) and is likely to be unaffected by a local emergency.

  • Get an extra prescription for one week’s emergency supply of medications (Diamond & Precin, 2003; Murray, 2011; Rooney & White, 2007), and rotate these with your usual supply so that they do not expire.

  • Ask your physician whether you are taking any medications should not be stopped abruptly in case of short supply, and discuss how to taper down and how to communicate potential side effects with disaster personnel (Bloodworth et al., 2007).

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  • Prepare a support Network:

    • Establish a support network of neighbours who know that you may need help (Public Safety Canada, 2010).

    • Have a contingency plan in case informal caregivers are incapacitated by the emergency (Al-rousan et al., 2015; Campbell et al., 2009; Levac et al., 2012; Murray, 2011). This should include at least 3 members (Hageboom et al., 2013).

    • Establish an emergency communication plan with your support network (Levac et al., 2012; Tomio et al., 2012). It may be helpful to include a person who lives somewhere else (Public Safety Canada, 2010).

    • You may also wish to establish a meeting place with local members of your support network.

 

  • Prepare your medical and assistive devices:

    • Tag personal medical and assistive devices with your name and instruction regarding use (Public Safety Canada, 2010).

    • If you rely on medical equipment that requires power, consider having an alternate power source (e.g., generator) or battery back (Jan & Lurie, 2012; Murray, 2011; Public Safety Canada, 2010; Rooney & White, 2007). You may also want to voluntarily registering with the local Emergency Planning organization for priority power restoration.

 

  • In case of rescue, take the initiative. Inform first responders of your disability, including what you need and how to best assist you (Public Safety Canada 2010). Tell them you need your assistive devices/medical equipment to be taken with you, if at all possible (Bloodworth et al., 2007).
     

  • If you work or volunteer outside the home, consider emergency preparations for that location too. Encourage your employer to make emergency evacuation plans for you and include you in all drills too (Loy et al., 2006; Rooney & White, 2007). If you are in paid employment, you can insist on an evacuation plan as part of your job accommodations.

Resources for Emergency Planners

Rushford (2015) proposed a “twin track” approach to emergency preparedness planning for persons with disabilities – disability inclusive and disability specific. Being Disability Inclusive means involving persons with disabilities in emergency planning, and this is widely recommended (Fox et al., 2007; Jan & Lurie, 2012; Rushford, 2015; Rooney & White, 2007; Smith & Nataro, 2009), including persons with mental health disabilities (Federal Report, 2006). Being Disability Specific means empowering persons with disabilities and their families through education about emergency preparedness specific to their needs. Baker and Cormier (2013) found that even a short educational intervention significantly increases preparedness among persons with disabilities. However, it is important not to put all responsibility for emergency preparedness on individuals, but to also ensure that the build environment and policies address needs of persons with disability (Christensen et al., 2007). 

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Know the Need

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  • Know the number and location of persons with disabilities in your region (Fox et al., 2007; Spence et al., 2007).

    • Encourage self identification by persons with disabilities, including the services they need (Fox et al., 2007).

  • GIS (geographic information systems) technology could be useful for emergency planning, IF agencies collaborate and the data sets available include disability information (Enders & Brandt, 2007). 

  • Maintain a priority list for utility reconnection for those using medical devices (Al Rousan et al., 2015).

  • Plan priority distribution of food, water, etc. for persons with disabilities who cannot get to distribution points or stand or wait in line (Rooney & White, 2007).

Resources for First Responders

  • Know your community’s unique risks (e.g., earthquake, tsumani, etc.) and its emergency plans, including the location of shelters and their accessibility, as well as the evacuation routes from your community (Levac et al., 2012; Rooney & White, 2007).
     

  • Have an emergency kit, have an emergency plan for your family and home, and practice for emergencies (Baker & Cormier, 2013; Levac et al., 2012; Rooney & White, 2007).
     

  • Consider voluntary self-registration with Emergency Planners (Fox et al., 2007), including where you live and what sorts of assistance you might need in an emergency.
     

  • If you live alone, know how to turn off power, gas (if relevant), and water (Al-rousan et al., 2015; Baker & Cormier, 2013; Rooney & White, 2007).
    ​

  • Medical Preparation:

  • Prepare and regularly update a brief medical history and carry it with you at all times, especially if you or your family member may not be able to communicate it (e.g., child, cognitive disability, etc.) (Baker & Cormier, 2013: Bloodworth et al., 2007; Jones et al., 2009; Murray, 2011). Store a copy with someone who lives elsewhere (Rothman & Brown, 2007). Include names and contact information for specialists as well as immunization records (Murray, 2011). You may wish to laminate it (Jones et al., 2009). Include your health care number (Public Safety Canada, 2010) and any supplementary insurance information.

  • Send an updated list of all medications and their dosages to someone who lives elsewhere (Rothman & Brown 2007) and is likely to be unaffected by a local emergency.

  • Get an extra prescription for one week’s emergency supply of medications (Diamond & Precin, 2003; Murray, 2011; Rooney & White, 2007), and rotate these with your usual supply so that they do not expire.

  • Ask your physician whether you are taking any medications should not be stopped abruptly in case of short supply, and discuss how to taper down and how to communicate potential side effects with disaster personnel (Bloodworth et al., 2007).

​

  • Prepare a support Network:

    • Establish a support network of neighbours who know that you may need help (Public Safety Canada, 2010).

    • Have a contingency plan in case informal caregivers are incapacitated by the emergency (Al-rousan et al., 2015; Campbell et al., 2009; Levac et al., 2012; Murray, 2011). This should include at least 3 members (Hageboom et al., 2013).

    • Establish an emergency communication plan with your support network (Levac et al., 2012; Tomio et al., 2012). It may be helpful to include a person who lives somewhere else (Public Safety Canada, 2010).

    • You may also wish to establish a meeting place with local members of your support network.

 

  • Prepare your medical and assistive devices:

    • Tag personal medical and assistive devices with your name and instruction regarding use (Public Safety Canada, 2010).

    • If you rely on medical equipment that requires power, consider having an alternate power source (e.g., generator) or battery back (Jan & Lurie, 2012; Murray, 2011; Public Safety Canada, 2010; Rooney & White, 2007). You may also want to voluntarily registering with the local Emergency Planning organization for priority power restoration.

 

  • In case of rescue, take the initiative. Inform first responders of your disability, including what you need and how to best assist you (Public Safety Canada 2010). Tell them you need your assistive devices/medical equipment to be taken with you, if at all possible (Bloodworth et al., 2007).
     

  • If you work or volunteer outside the home, consider emergency preparations for that location too. Encourage your employer to make emergency evacuation plans for you and include you in all drills too (Loy et al., 2006; Rooney & White, 2007). If you are in paid employment, you can insist on an evacuation plan as part of your job accommodations.

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