In the last post, “Disaster Preparedness: Planning for medically dependent sheltering,” we talked about how to register for a medically dependent evacuation center. In this post, we’ll look at how to prepare if someone you know has a special need or needs.
Floridadisaster.org recommends the following to help plan for a disaster.
- Create a network. Include neighbors, friends, relatives and even co-workers to help in an emergency, but make sure to discuss your needs in advance so that everyone knows what is needed and how to operate necessary equipment.
- Have a discussion with your employer to let them know your needs and your plan.
- If the person is mobility impaired and lives or works in a multi-story building, have an escape chair, and, again, communicate your plan with family, friends and your employer.
- If the person is in a multi-story apartment, ask the management to mark accessible exits clearly and to arrange to help you leave the premises. You might try a trial run to be sure the plan works.
- Keep a bag ready. Plan on packing extra wheelchair batteries, catheters, oxygen, medications, food their service animal, and any other necessary items that are important to their health.
- If medications require refrigeration, plan ahead on how you will handle these supplies.
- If oxygen is used, check with the supplier about emergency plans.
- Create a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devises the individual uses. Add to the list important phone numbers, including healthcare provider and out-of-town family members.
- Talk to the individual’s healthcare provider about the plans, and register in advance if the individual plans to shelter at a medical needs evacuation center.
The key point is to start creating a plan early, and communicate that plan with neighbors, friends, relatives, housing manager and healthcare providers. Creating a plan and taking care of all the details takes time, but those efforts just might save your life.