Tag: Disaster Kit

Families with Disability Concerns Take Extra Care when Planning for Emergencies

Posted on by Nicol Walsh

A Brief Overview

  • All families prepare for emergencies, but extra planning is critical when a loved one has a disability.
  • The Family-To Family Health Information Center provides Information about COVID-19 and updates about local, regional, and statewide healthcare policies and programs.
  • Virginia Commonwealth University offers an Emergency Preparedness Tool Kit for People with Disabilities through its university center called Partnership for People with Disabilities. The downloadable, 29-page booklet includes checklists and resources.
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, also provides a downloadable brochure: Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities.
  • Military families, each installation has a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP 10-12). Read on for links to specific military resources.
  • This article includes a variety of resources and ideas about how to be informed and organized, with a disability-specific toolkit and emergency plans that are ready to roll if something unexpected does occur.

Full Article

COVID-19 has highlighted a need for emergency planning, and Washington State families might consider additional contingencies to plan for: winter snowstorms, flooding, wildfires, volcanoes, earthquakes…. The planning can alleviate stress and create a sense of confidence that a plan is in place for everyone’s safety if something unexpected does occur.

To be fully prepared, a family may need an emergency plan and a survival kit to support to a loved one with additional needs that are specific to a disability. Following are guidelines for getting organized and ready, with each person’s individualized needs in mind.

While building an emergency plan and toolkit, families may need to consider how to include tools and strategies for providing a sense of comfort and safety for individuals with anxiety, sensory needs, or behavioral challenges. A favorite blanket, stuffed toy, or noise cancelling headphones might be part of the kit. A handheld electronic device might provide a sense of normalcy; if one is included, be sure chargers or batteries are also part of the toolkit.

Gathering the toolkit ahead of time can enhance a sense of calm and save time when quick action is needed. Family to Family Health Information Center at PAVE has a page set up with tools and links around disability and special healthcare needs.

Be informed

Some disaster scenarios include sheltering in place, and others require movement to a safe location. The Red Cross provides information on a page titled Be Informed to help determine which types of emergencies are most likely in a designated community. Some areas are more prone to forest fires, floods or earthquakes, for example. Consider whether local public systems share information or alert the public if something is happening or about to happen. Will there be a telephone alert or a broadcasted siren? Will there be an emergency broadcast to tune in? The Emergency Alert System (EAS) includes a statewide list of radio stations that broadcast emergency alerts by area.

Consider whether there are shelters nearby, or an evacuation route. The Red Cross encourages people to download the agency’s mobile app to receive local alerts that can include emergency-specific instructions in real time. The agency also provides a page dedicated to disaster safety that takes a step-by-step approach for people with disabilities. Included are guidelines for creating a personal assessment and registering with a local emergency assistance program.

You can also download the FEMA app to get weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations.

Make a plan

Create escape routes that are accessible to everyone within the household. Choose a meet-up spot after everyone has evacuated the home, property, or neighborhood. Consider accessibility based on the entire family’s needs: For example, will someone need to arrive at the meet-up spot by wheelchair? If someone will need a helper to evacuate, designate a helper and a back-up person to provide that support.

Tell emergency contacts about the family’s plan. Consider telling neighbors or nearby friends about where medications or mobility assistance devices (crutches, wheelchairs, walkers) are stored in case help is needed to get those things. The plan includes what may happen before, during and after a disaster.

The Red Cross provides a template for a 3-step plan, to be shared and verified with everyone who might be involved or recruited to help:

  1. All household members discuss how to prepare and respond to the types of emergencies most likely to happen where they live, learn, work and play.
  2. Identify responsibilities for each member of the household and plan a way to work as a team.
  3. Practice as many elements of the plan as possible.

Military Families

Military families may have unique and specific concerns. Each installation provides support for a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP 10-12). Additionally, families might seek assistance from the family support office through the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) or a Family Resource Specialist (Coast Guard).

Here are additional places to seek information about emergency planning for military families:

Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities

Posted on by Nicol Walsh

A Brief Overview:

  • Preparing for an emergency is crucial for all families, especially those that have loved ones with special needs. Here is the general overview of the essentials:
  • Educate yourself on the potential situations that may impact your family and community resources available if an emergency occurs.
  • Make a personalized plan for your family.
  • Create a disaster kit – food, water, medication, first aid, and more.
  • Review the plan with your family and keep your kit updated.

Full Article

In any family, planning for an emergency is essential to reassuring the safety of all members. However, for families that have a loved one with a disability, additional planning may be needed to be sure everyone is taken care of. By informing yourself on your community’s emergency procedures, being proactive in your planning, gathering needed emergency supplies and staying updated on your personal and community plans, you can have the tools you need to make sure your family is out of harm’s way.

The first step to preparing for an emergency is to educate yourself on the potential situations that may impact your family. What natural disasters are possible within your area? How does your community inform the public of a potential emergency? Do you know about your community’s evacuation plans or emergency shelters? Knowing these questions early on can save you much needed time if a disaster occurs. In addition to this, you want to be informed on the emergency resources available in your area for people with disabilities. Is your family member dependent on electricity, transportation assistance, or medications? Speaking with your local community leaders and family healthcare team will be a great place to start to get the information you need to create the best emergency plan for you.

Once you have gathered enough information, you can begin making a personalized plan for your family. Your emergency plan will differ depending on the situation you are in, however there are some commonalities you can include in all variations. Creating escape routes accessible for everyone within your household, finding a meeting spot, communicating with your emergency contacts, and planning for pets are all options to begin thinking about. For members with a disability, talking to neighbors or nearby friends about storing medications or mobility assisting devices (i.e wheelchairs, crutches, etc.) is another method for assuring your needs are met when a disaster occurs. Having an open discussion with your family about things to expect is also encouraged. Your plan should include what steps to take before, during and after a disaster. Confirm that everyone is on the same page. If you need guidance creating your emergency plan, Family Voices offers additional tools and tips for creating a plan that works best for you. Other sites that have preparedness check lists are FEMA at and the American Red Cross. There are also some tools specific to individuals with Developmental Disabilities the following links can take you to several examples.

Emergency Preparedness Tool Kit for People with Disabilities by Partnership for People with Disabilities

FEMA – Preparing Makes Sense For People With Disabilities

Creating a disaster kit is pivotal to assure your safety in an emergency. Having adequate food and water supply, a first aid kit, extra clothing, sanitation, flashlight, batteries, medications, sleeping bags, and copies of important documents are a few of the necessary items to include in your kit. For families that have specific dietary restrictions or allergies, Amazon and Legacy Foods have some great resources for “out of the box” supplies such as gluten free and other dietary needs. Emergency Kits.com, Stealth Angel, and The Red Cross Store are some of the helpful sites available for finding the emergency preparation supplies already built or additional supplies to fit your needs. Be sure to store this in a safe and accessible place to prevent any damage.

When you are confident with your emergency plan and kit, it is important to continue reviewing your procedures with your family. Doing practice runs, updating your kit as needed, quizzing each other and staying involved in the community helps make sure that everyone is familiar and comfortable carrying out the plan if needed. Being prepared during an emergency takes time to perfect, but taking the necessary steps to plan ahead can reduce much of the stress if trouble arises.