Disability and Health Program • New York State Department of Health

Disabilityand Healthin NewYorkState

Autumn2007•IssueNo.11

Be Prepared! Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities

Whenyouareinthemiddle ofacrisis,thereisnotimetoplan aresponse.Planninginadvance isthebestprotection.Forpeople withdisabilities,beingaware andpreparediscriticalduring anemergencysituation.Perhaps youthinkthatsomeoneelsehas alreadyconsideredyourneedsin anemergency;thisbeliefcancreate newdifficultiesandhazards.

ThisissueofOnTargetlooksat emergencypreparednessforpeople withdisabilities.Weexplore whatyoucandotoprepareforan emergency,howtocreateapersonal supportnetwork,whattoincludein

Inside this issue

•Developingan EmergencyPlan

•PuttingTogetherYour EmergencySupplyKit

•FireSafetyTips

•IndependentLivingCenter ConsumersBeginPreparing

•EmergencyPreparedness Resources

•NametheNewsletter

(continued on page 2)

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anemergencykitandwheretogoforhelpinplanningforemergencies.Youmaynotbeabletoavoidemergencies,butwithsomethoughtfulplanningyoucanreducetheriskstheyposetoyourdailyroutines,andbeconfidentthatyouareprepared.Agoodplancanhelpyoufeelincontrol,eveninthefaceofunexpectedevents.

What is emergency preparedness?

Thetermreferstothestepsyoutaketomakesureyouaresafebefore,duringandafteranemergencyornaturaldisaster.Theseplansareimportantforyoursafetyinbothnaturaldisastersandman-madedisasters.Examplesofnaturaldisastersarefloods,blizzards,tornadoesandearthquakes.Man-madedisasterscanincludeexplosions,fires, CONTEST chemicalandbiologicalattacks.

Sincetheevents RenameofSeptember11, the2001,andmorerecently,Hurricane Newsletter Katrina,Americansaremoreaware seedetailsonpage7ofemergencyevents.

Accordingtoa2004HarrisPoll,96%ofAmericansfeelitisimportanttoprepareforemergencies,butlessthan20%describethemselvesastotallyprepared.DespiteguidelinesfromgovernmentorganizationsandcommunitybasedservicesliketheAmericanRedCross,only42%ofAmericanshavecreatedapersonalemergencykit.

Peoplewithdisabilitiesmaybeespeciallyvulnerableduringandafteremergencyevents.Inanemergency,manysystemsyourelyonmaynotfunctionaswellastheyusuallydo.Familiarlandmarksandusualtravelroutesyouandyourserviceanimalknowmaybe

altered.Utilitieslikeelectricity,water,gasandphoneservicemaybedisrupted. Youmightneedto temporarilyevacuate toashelterwhichmay notbefullyaccessible foryourneeds.Thetipsandstrategiesinthisnewslettercanhelpyouplantobepreparedforthesesituations.

Developing an Emergency Plan

Makingapersonalemergencyplanisthefirststep.Themostimportantthingsforyoutoconsiderareyoursurroundings,yourphysicalabilitiesandthetypesofemergenciesthatmayoccurwhereyoulive.

Itdoesnotmakesensetoplanforsomethingthatwillnothappeninyourtown.Forinstance,apersonwholivesinUpstateNewYorkdoesnotneedtoworryaboutatsunami,ortidalwave.But,youmayneedtoprepareforafloodifyoulivenearariverorcreek.Inadditiontolearningaboutthetypesofemergenciesthatmayaffectyou,learnwhatemergencyplansareinplaceinyourcommunity.Emergenciescanoccurwhenyouandyourfamilyareawayfromhome,solearnaboutplansatschoolandwork,too.Itisimportanttofindouthowyouwillbenotifiedofanemergencyeventatschoolandwork.Learnaboutyourcommunity’swarningsignalsandwhatyoushoulddowhenyouhearorseethem.

Askaboutregistriesthatmaybeinplacetohelppeoplewith

disabilitiesinanemergency.Somecommunitiesandcountieshaveavoluntaryregistryforpeoplewithdisabilitiessohelpcanbeprovidedquickly.Informationaboutregistriescanoftenbefoundonyourcountyorcommunitywebsitehomepage.Contactyourlocalemergencymanagementoffice.Itshouldbelistedinthegovernmentpagesofyourlocalphonebook.Manyofficesmaintainaregistryforpeoplewithdisabilities.Mostelectricandutilitycompanieshaveavoluntaryregistryforpeoplewhodependonoxygenorventilatorssoinapoweroutage,theycanalertofficialsastowhowillneedhelp.Ifyouareuneasyparticipatinginaregistry,rememberthepurposeofregistriesistogetyouhelpasquicklyaspossible.

Next,makealistofwhattypeofhelpyouwillneedduringanemergency.Thismeansyouneedtobeawareofyourphysicalandmentalstrengthsandweaknesses.Youdonotneedtobeapersonwithamobilityimpairmenttoqualifyassomeonewhomayneedassistanceduringanemergency.Forexample,ifyouwearhearingaidsorrelyonlip-reading

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tocommunicate,youmostlikely Whenyouhavemadealist donothavetroubleunderstanding ofwhatyourneedswillbeinan yourco-workersinyournormal emergency,youcanthenfocuson officeworkspace.But,youmight yourpersonalemergencyplan.Your havetroubleunderstandingthem emergencyplanshouldbeastep-ifyouarestandinginasmoky,dark by-stepguidelinethatwillhelpyou stairwellafterthepowerandlights prepareforanddealwithemergency havegoneout.Likewise,youmay situations.Agoodplancanhelpyou haveavisualimpairmentanda feelincontrol.Onceyouhaveyour guidedogtoassistyouinwalking plan,shareitwithfamilymembers, aroundyourofficebuilding.If friends,neighbors,personalcare yourguidedoghasparticipatedin attendantsandco-workers.Postyour allemergencydrills,youmaynot planinyourhousewhereyoucan requireassistancetoevacuateyour easilyreferenceit. officeinanemergency. Itisbesttostartyourplan Somepeoplefinditeasierto bycreatingyourpersonalsupport listalloftheirneedsbythinkingof network.Thisisyour“self-help theirdailyroutinesandactivities. team,”thepeoplewhoknowabout Thisincludesroutinesforpersonal yourneedsandarewillingto care,dailymedications,adaptive helpinanemergency.Members devicesandanyequipmentthat ofyoursupportnetworkcouldbe requireselectricity.Includeyour roommates,relatives,neighbors, serviceanimalinyourlist.Many personalcareattendants,friendsand agencies,suchastheAmerican co-workers.Theyshouldbepeople RedCrossandtheNewYorkState thatyoutrustandwhocareabout EmergencyManagementOffice, yoursafety.Donotdependonjust havecreatedmedicalinformation oneperson.TheAmericanRedCross sheetstohelpyouorganizethislist. recommendsyouincludeatleast Anexampleofsuchasheetcanbe threepeopleinyournetworkfor foundonpage9ofthisnewsletter. eachlocationwhereyounormally

spendalotoftime.

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Onceyouhaveyoursupport networkinplace,sharewith themyourlistofwhat yourneedswillbeinan emergencyandyour emergencyplan.If youuseamobility device,showyour supportnetwork membershowto operateandsafely moveit.Havethem practiceusingitsothat duringanemergency, theywillfeelconfident helpingyou.Practice givingshort,specific directionstopeople. Thatway,youwillfeel confidentinyourabilities tocommunicateimportant informationinanemergency situation.Eventhoughyouhave practicedwithyournetwork,ina realemergencyyoumayhavetorely onstrangersorpeoplewhohave neverhelpedyoubefore.

Askformembersofyournetwork tocheckwithyouimmediatelyif localofficialsgiveanevacuation orderorifadisasteroccurs.This isespeciallyimportantifyour

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disabilitypreventsyoufrom accessingvisualoraudioemergency announcements.Agreeonhowyou andyournetworkwillcommunicate duringandafteranemergency. Yourtelephonemaynotbeworking sohaveanalternativeplan.Give membersofyournetworkallthe necessarykeystheymayneedtoget intoyourhouseorvehicle.

Putting Together Your Emergency Supply Kit

IfyousearchtheInternetfor informationrelatingtosupplykits, youwillfindavarietyofchecklists thatsuggestwhattoincludein anemergencysupplykit.The AmericanRedCrossandtheFederal EmergencyManagementAgency bothsuggestthatyoukeepenough suppliesinyourhometomeetyour needsforatleastthreedays.Store theseitemsinsturdy,easy-to-carry containerssuchasbackpacks,duffle bagsorplasticstorageboxes.Ifyou needtoevacuate,youwillwanttobe abletotakeyoursupplieswithyou.

TheNewYorkCityOfficeof EmergencyManagementsuggests eachhouseholdshouldassemble aGoBag–a collectionof itemsyoumay needinthe eventofan evacuation. Thisshould bepackedinasturdy,easy-to-carry container.YourGoBagshouldbe easilyaccessibleifyouneedtoleave yourhomeinahurry.

Thefollowingchecklistincludes recommendeditemstoinclude inyoursupplykitorGoBag.You maywanttoaddsomeextraitems dependingonyourspecificneeds. Ittakestimeandefforttoprepare. Gathertheseitemsalittleata time,asyourenergyandbudget allow.Thinkabouttheseitemsand determinewhicharemostimportant andrelevanttoyou.

•Three-daysupplyofnon-perishablefood

•Three-daysupplyofwater-1 gallonofwaterperperson,per day

•Portable,batteryoperated radioortelevisionwithextra batteries;handcrankradiosare alsoavailable

•Flashlightwithextrabatteries

• Firstaidkitandmanual

•Matchesinawaterproof container

•Kitchenutensils,includinga manualcanopener

•Awhistle(tonotifypeople outsideofyourlocation)

• Photocopiesofcreditcardsand personalidentificationcards

• Cashandcoins

• Copiesofinsurancepoliciesand bankaccountnumbers

• Prescriptionmedicationsandalist ofcurrentdosesandschedule

• Eyeglassesand/orcontact lenssolutions

• Hearingaidbatteries

• Listofstyleandserialnumbers ofmedicaldevicessuchas wheelchairorpacemaker

• Achangeofclothingandfootwear

• Sleepingbagorwarmblanketfor eachperson

• Paper,pensand/orpencils

• Sanitationsupplies(moist towelettes,toiletpaper,waterless handsanitizer)

• Extrasetofhousekeysand carkeys

• Emergencycontactlistandphone numbers.Makesuretoincludeat leastoneout-of-statecontact,too.

Ifyouhaveaserviceanimal,make planstoincludeitemsforhim/her inyourkit.Makesureyourservice animalhasidentificationtagswith bothyourhomephonenumberand thatofsomeoneinyoursupport network.Youshouldputacopyof youranimal’slicenseandvaccination historyinyourkit.Otheritems specifictoaserviceanimalinclude:

• Bowlforfoodandwater

• 3daysupplyoffood

• Blanketforbedding

• Plasticbagsandpapertowelsfor disposingoffeces

• Extraharnessand/orleash

• Afavoritetoy

• Medications(ifapplicable)

Rememberthatpets,incontrast toserviceanimals,arenotallowed inmostemergencysheltersdue tohealthregulations.Identify someanimalsheltersorkennels inadvanceforyourpets.Your veterinarianorlocalchapterofthe AmericanRedCrossmaybeableto providehelpwiththis.

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Fire Safety Tips

• Install and maintain smoke alarms. Adaptive alarms, such as models with a vibrating pad or flashing light for people with sensory impairments, are available.

• Consider smoke alarms with a stobe light. Some of these alarms can even be mounted outside your house to catch the attention of neighbors.

• Test your smoke alarms every month. You can use a broom handle to reach the alarm if you use a wheelchair.

• Clean your smoke alarm to keep it working. Use a vacuum cleaner hose or a hair dryer to remove dust and dirt that may have settled in your alarm.

• Mount a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, as most house fires start in this room. If you have limited hand dexterity, you can replace the pull pin from the trigger mechanism with a spring

• If you live in a multi-level dwelling, sleep on the first floor

device that locks the trigger.

Tips and Tools

• Know your exits. Practice how

• Prepare written emergency messages to give to first responders or others who do not

sweep your hand over the towel,

if possible. Being on the ground floor will make it easier to get out quickly.

you will leave using all available accessible routes.

know about your disability but are helping you. For example, a message could say, “I am deaf, but I read lips.”

• If you are in a smoky room, try getting as close to the floor as possible. If you use a wheelchair, lean over from the chest and shoulders if you are able.

• If you use a wheelchair and your clothing catches on fire, practice the “stop, lock and cover to smother” procedure. Stop, lock your brakes, cover the fire using a small blanket or towel, and

away from your face to smother.

Whenwethinkofemergencies,itiseasytothinkofnaturaldisastersoreventsoutsideofthehome.However,ahousefireisoneofthemostcommonhomeemergencies.Itiscrucialthateveryoneknowhowtogetoutoftheirhouseincaseofafire.But,afireescapeplanisespeciallyimportanttoindividualswithdisabilitiessincetheymayfaceagreaterriskofbeinginjuredinafire.

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SampleFire Escape Plan

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FireDepartment555-5555

Bedroom

BedroomBedroom

BathroomKitchen DiningRoom

LivingRoom

Tree

Youcanincreaseyourchancesofescapingafirebycreatingandpracticingyourfiresafetyplanuntilyouarecomfortablewithit,andbyusingfirewarningdevicesthatmatchyourabilities.Also,talktoyourfamilymembers,caregivers,neighborsandpersonalsupportnetworkaboutyourfiresafetyplan.Practiceyourplanwiththemifyouwillneedtheirhelpinafire.

Itisimportanttokeepallaccessibleexitsclearandfreefromobstacles.

EvaGalvinpracticesevacuatingwithherdog,Chuckie,fromherkitchenexit.

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Independent Living Center Consumers Begin Preparing

TheCapitalDistrictCenterforIndependenceisanindependentlivingcenterservingresidentsofthegreaterNewYorkStateCapitalDistrict.LocatedinAlbany,theCenteroffersassistancetopeoplewithvariousdisabilities.Recently,someconsumerssatdownwiththeNewYorkStateDisabilityandHealthProgramstafftodiscusstheirownemergencyplans.

Mostoftheconsumersadmittedtheyhadnottakenthestepstobepreparedforemergencies.Whenaskedwhy,theysaidthattheyweretoocaughtupindealingwitheverydayroutinestothinkaboutthe“whatifs.”But,somepeoplewhohadmadeinitialstepstowardspreparationexplainedwhattheyhavedone.

EvaGalvin,ahomeownerfromNiskayuna,NY,whousesawheelchair,workedwithabuildertodesignheraccessiblehouse.Sheexplainedthatwhenshewasplanningherhome,shestressedtheimportanceofmakingeveryexitwheelchairaccessible.Evaadmittedthattheonethingsheforgotto

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includeisanaccessibleemergencyexitfromherbedroom.“Ishouldhavethoughtaboutdesigningbetteremergencyexitsbutwhostopstothinkaboutwhatmighthappen?Thankfully,Ihaveneverhadareasontoevacuate,”saidEva.

DonWhiteconsideredemergencyevacuationswhenbuildinghisdeck.Don,whousesawheelchair,designedarampattherearofhishousethatprovidesanemergencyroutefortwoexits;onefromhissleepingareaandonefromhislivingroominthecentralpartofthehouse.Therampleadstoapathawayfromhishouse.DontoldOnTarget,“It’simportanttokeepallaccessibleexitsclear,especiallyinthewinter.”

ForTonyDiGiovannantonio,livingwithaseizuredisorderhasmadehimrealizetheimportanceofthinkingahead.TonyhasbecomeamemberofMedicAlert,acompanythatprovidesinformationtohealthcareprovidersineventofemergency.TonywearsaMedicAlertbraceletthathasaphonenumberonit.IfTonyisunconscious,anemergencyworkercancallthe800numberandreceivehishealthinformation.

Doyouhaveauniquewaywithwords?Areyouartisticallyinclined?TheNewYorkStateDisabilityandHealthProgramislookingforyou!

TheDisabilityandHealthProgramhasproducedthe“OnTarget”newsletterfocusingonhealthandwellnessforadultswithdisabilitiesforeightyears.ThisnewsletterisdistributedthroughoutNewYorkStatetoadultswithdisabilities,theirfamilies,caregivers,medicalcareprovidersandserviceorganizations.Pastnewslettershavecoveredavarietyoftopics,suchasnutrition,physicalactiv-ityandassistivetechnologyforpersonswithdisabilities.

Nowweneedyourhelp!The“OnTarget”newsletterisgoingtobegivenamakeover,includ-inganewnameandanewlogo.

ThisisyourchancetoexerciseyourcreativitybyenteringtheDisabilityandHealthProgramRenametheNewslettercontest.

Suggestionsforthenewsletternameand/orlogomaybesubmittedviae-mailtodisabila@health.state.ny.us;orbymailto:

NYSDOH Disability and HealthProgram Newsletter Contest 150 Broadway Riverview 3W Albany, NY 12204

SubmissionsmustbereceivedbyNovember 15, 2007. Sorevupyourcreativeengines,putonyourthinkingcaps,andhelpusrenovateourlook.Ifyourideaisselected,youwillreceiverecognitioninthenextissuewhenwerevealthenewnameandlogo.

RENAME THE NEWSLETTER! SometownsandcountiesinNewYorkhavevoluntaryregistriesforpeoplewithdisabilities.MaxcineJohnson,whousesawheelchairduetomultiplesclerosis,hasregisteredwiththeAlbanyCountyOfficeofCommunityandEmergencyServices.Maxcinesaidthatthisfreeserviceoffersher“reassuranceshouldsomethinggowrong.”ThisregistryisupdatedonayearlybasissoAlbanyCountyemergencypersonnelhaverecentinformationincaseofanevacuationoremergency.

BobWilliams,anAlbanyCountyresidentwithadepressivedisorder,said,“Ialwaysthoughtthatpeoplewithdisabilitiesweretakencareofinemergencysituations.But,that

isnotthecase.”Bobhasstartedplanningaheadbygettinghiscarreadyforwinter.Hehasextrablanketsandglovesincaseheisstuckinasnowstorm.Healsoincludedextrawindshieldwasherfluid.Bobagreedthatifhetakespreparingonestepatatime,itisnotsooverwhelming.

Theseindividualshaveallstartedtheprocessofpreparingforemergencies.Theyrecognizethatthestepsofpreparingareon-goingandneedtobemaintained,particularlyforpeoplewithdisabilities.As MaxcineJohnsonstated,“It’suptometotakeresponsibilityformyownsafety.IfIdon’tcareaboutit,whowill?!”

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Emergency Information List Pleasecompletethisformanddistributecopiestoyouremergency contactpeopleaswellastoeachmemberinyournetwork.

Name: Birthdate: Address: Telephonenumber: SocialSecuritynumber: Localemergencycontactperson Name Phone home: work: Networkmembers Name Phone home: work: Name Phone home: work: Name Phone home: work: Name Phone home: work: Name Phone home: work: Out-of-townemergencycontact Name Phone home: work: Howbesttocommunicatewithme

MedicalInformationList Pleasecompletethisformanddistributecopiestoyouremergencycontact peopleaswellastoeachmemberinyournetwork. Primaryphysician: Telephonenumber: Address: Hospitalaffiliation: Address: Typeofhealthinsurance: Policynumber: Bloodtype: Allergiesandsensitivities:

Medicationsanddosagesbeingtaken:

Specificmedicalconditionsand/orphysicallimitations:

Adaptiveequipmentandvendors’phonenumbers:

CommunicationdifficultiesImayhaveinclude:

CognitivedifficultiesImayhaveinclude:

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Disability-RelatedSuppliesandSpecialEquipmentList Checkitemsyouuse,anddescribeitemtypeandlocation.Distributecopiesto youremergencycontactpeopleaswellastoeachmemberinyournetwork.

Type Location Glasses: Wheelchair: Wheelchairrepairkit: Motorized: Manual: Walker: Crutches: Cane(s): Dentures: Monitors: Ostomysupplies:

Type Location Eatingutensils: Groomingutensils: Dressingdevices: Writingdevices: Hearingdevices: Oxygen: Flowrate: Suctionequipment: Dialysisequipment: Sanitarysupplies: Other:

Emergency Preparedness Resources

AmericanRedCross www.redcross.org

CenterforDisabilityand SpecialNeedsPreparedness 1010WisconsinAvenueNW,Suite340 Washington,DC20007 (202)338-7158 www.disabilitypreparedness.org

DBTAC-NortheastADACenter 201ILRExtensionBuilding CornellUniversity Ithaca,NY14853-3901 1-800-949-4232 www.ilr.cornell.edu/ped/northeastada/

FederalEmergencyManagement Agency www.fema.gov

TheNationalOrganizationonDisability 910SixteenthStreet,NW Washington,DC20006 (202)293-5960 www.nod.org

NewYorkCityOfficeofEmergency Management–SeniorCitizensand PeoplewithDisabilities http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/oem/ html/readynewyork/info_seniors.html

NewYorkStateEmergency ManagementOffice www.semo.state.ny.us

NewYorkStateDepartmentofHealth www.nyhealth.gov

PublicHealthEmergency PreparednessandResponse www.bt.cdc.gov

UnitedStatesDepartment ofHomelandSecurity www.dhs.gov www.ready.gov

FEMA’s“AGuidetoCitizen Preparedness” http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/

CenteronDiseaseControl’sEmergency PreparednessforBusinesses http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ prepared/

Kailes,JuneIsaacson.Emergency EvacuationPreparedness:Taking ResponsibilityforYourSafety:AGuide forPeoplewithDisabilitiesandOther ActivityLimitations,2002.Published anddistributedbyCenterforDisability IssuesandtheHealthProfessions, WesternUniversityofHealthSciences, 309E.SecondStreet,Pomona,CA 91766-1854, Voice:(909)469-5380, TTY:(909)469-5220, Fax:(909)469-5407, E-mail:evac@westernu.edu, www.cdihp.org

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“OnTarget”isalsoavailableon

audiocassetteorinlargeprint.

NEWYORKSTATEDEPARTMENTOFHEALTH

DisabilityandHealthProgram

RiverviewCenter

150Broadway,3West

Albany,NewYork12204

Foracopy,contacttheDisability andHealthProgramat

(518)474-2018orwww.nyhealth.gov