Evacuation Planning for Persons with Disabilities and Caregivers
Your Disaster Supplies Kit
Make a disaster supplies kit that contains basic supplies for daily living and your disability-related supplies. Get a drawstring bag, a pouch with lots of pockets, a fanny pack, or a small backpack, and keep it within reach, by or on your chair, wheelchair, scooter, or other assistive device. Supplies and medications you need related to your disability should last a minimum of seven days. Remember any special dietary needs you may have when planning your food supplies.
Assemble a medical information list
Maintain a list of the following important items and store it with your disaster supplies kit. Give copies to another family member, a friend or neighbor, and your networks.
- Special equipment and supplies; for example, hearing aid batteries and a small plastic kit to keep your cochlear implant or other devices dry.
- Current prescriptions names and dosages.
- Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors and pharmacist.
- Detailed information about the specifications of your medication regime.
Attach copies of health insurance cards and related information to the medical information list. Keep at least a seven-day supply of essential medications with you at all times. Work with your doctor(s) to get extra supplies of medications and extra copies of prescriptions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what you should do if you do not have enough medicine after a disaster and cannot immediately get what you need. Be sure you know the expiration dates of your medications and the temperatures at which they should be stored.
Note: If you take medications (such as methadone, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy) administered to you by a clinic or hospital, ask your provider how you should prepare for a disruption caused by a disaster.
Assemble a disaster supplies kit for your service animal and your pets
Your service animal and pet supplies should include food, water, a leash or harness, a collar, and identification tags. Dogs and cats should wear a collar and tags. Dogs should be led with a leash or harness; cats should be moved in a pet carrier. Keep an extra harness with your disaster supplies for each animal. Ask your veterinarian for first aid information and a list of supplies you will need for your animals.
Make sure that identification tags, licenses, and vaccinations are current for your service animal and pets. Identification tags should list both your home telephone number and that of your primary out-of-town contact person.
Remember: Pets, in contrast to service animals, may not be allowed in emergency shelters, so have some animal shelters identified.
For more information, see "Tips for People with Service Animals or Pets" at http://www.prepare.org/disabilities/animaltips.htm.
