Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for the Elderly and Disabled

1. Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for the Elderly and Disabled

2. Resource E: Emergency Management Suggested Checklist • Determine how your jurisdiction carries out emergency management • Set up meetings with essential players • Office of Emergency Management • Fire Department • Law Enforcement • Emergency Medical Services

3. Resource E: Emergency Management Suggested Checklist • Identify other partners • American Red Cross • Salvation Army • Health Department • United Way • Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

4. Resource E: Emergency Management Suggested Checklist • Establish working relationships by sharing contact information (multiple staff tiers) and setting up notification systems (include alternate phone #s, e-mails, home fax #s) • Identify resources & skill sets that will be useful for both senior service agencies and emergency management officials

5. Resource E: Emergency Management Suggested Checklist • Participate in plan development, drills & exercises, & other preparedness activities • Be sure to develop a Continuity of Operations Plan for your agency to ensure that your mission can be carried out with special emphasis on communications, data back-up systems, emergency service delivery options, & transportation

6. Be Aware & Prepare Personally(Ask Yourself the Following) • Develop an emergency preparedness plan for your family. How and where will my family reunite following a major disaster? • What should we do if the water supply is contaminated? • If no medical professionals are available, who can give first aid to my family? • How will we obtain emergency information if the electricity is out? • Can we evacuate our home safely in five minutes? And if so, what should we take with us?

7. Five Steps to Family Disaster Preparedness • TALK- with your family about disasters that could happen in your area • TRAIN- all family members • Learn to use a fire extinguisher. • Locate your utility shut off valves and know when and how to turn off your gas, electricity & water. • Pick 2 places to meet in case of sudden emergency: right outside of your home or outside of your neighborhood in case you can’t return home

8. 5 Steps Continued… • TAKE STOCK- of supplies you may already have on hand that would be helpful in a disaster. Prepare a 10-day supply of food & water for each family member • TEST- your readiness on a regular basis. • Review your family disaster plan and go through supplies at least once a year • TELL- everyone in the household where emergency contact information is kept

9. Disaster Supplies Kit ChecklistThe Eight Basics • Water and Food (10 day supply/person) • First aid supplies • Clothing & bedding • Essential Tools • Emergency supplies • Household bleach • Old fashioned landline telephone • Special items (batteries, matches, pet supplies, etc.) • Keep these items in a rugged but easy to carry container (large covered trash can, overnight backpack, or duffel bag) • Keep a smaller version of the kit in the trunk of your car; if you’re stranded, having some items will help you to be more comfortable until help arrives • Store your kit in a structurally sound, accessible location

10. Additional Disaster Kit Supplies • Documents scanned and included on a flash drive (insurance papers, identification cards such as Social Security #, Medicare; include photos that cannot be replaced, etc. • Sanitation (trash bags, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc...) • Safety & Comfort (change of clothes, heavy gloves, sturdy shoes, light sticks, etc...) • Medical supplies such as eyeglasses, hearing aides, batteries, and medications • Tools & Supplies (crescent wrench, axe, shovel, screwdriver, manual can opener, etc...) • Emergency Supplies for your vehicle (blanket, booster cables, bottled water, emergency flares, fix-a-flat, etc...) • Leisure items for you and your family (games, books, etc…)

11. First Aid Kit • Build or buy a first aid kit • Medication listing and prescriptions • Everyone over the age of 10 should have basic first aid training (the American Red Cross holds classes for all groups) • Check and replenish first aid supplies yearly

12. Evacuation • In certain emergencies, you may need to evacuate your home • Listen to local radio (Emergency Alert System) or television & follow the instructions of local emergency officials • Evacuate immediately if told to do so • Authorities do not ask people to leave unless they truly feel lives may be in danger; follow their advice

13. Water and Ice • You will need more water than you might think in an emergency • Store a minimum of ten days worth of water per person: 1 gallon per person per day (and the same amount for each pet) • Fill bath tubs and buckets to use for non-potable tasks (flushing toilets, bathing, etc.) • Store ice if you live in a warm climate or need ice for medications. Melting ice water can be used for other purposes.

14. Utilities • Natural gas • Water • Electricity • Shutting off your utilities • Downed power line safety • Food safety in an outage

15. Utilities Continued… • Cooking during an outage • Never use barbecues or liquid fuel stoves indoors to cook/heat food • Cooking with these types of appliances will produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless, colorless, & deadly • Generator safety

16. Special Instructions for Life Support Patients • If someone in your home is on life support equipment and you experience a power outage, notify your electric utility immediately • Even before any outage, your power company would like to be aware of all of their life support customers • Contact them for their notification form; they will put a special note on your account • Consider investing in a home generator

17. Pets & Disasters • Be aware- A disaster will be traumatic for your pets as well as you • REMEMBER- Pets, other than service animals who assist people with disabilities, are not allowed in Red Cross shelters for health and safety reasons • If your community has a pet-friendly shelter, you may need to register ahead of time. Find out the requirements and plan now. Or, bring this up as a planning need since many seniors will not leave their homes without their pets.

18. Pets & Disasters • Prepare- Assemble a disaster supplies kit for your pet, including the following (you may want to put them with your own disaster supplies): • Portable carriers • Food, potable water, bowls, and can opener • Medications • Pet first aid kit (available from American Red Cross) • Litter and litter box for cats • Make sure your dog or cat is wearing a collar or has a microchip • Have a current photo of your pet