Disability Futures

Emergency Preparedness is a subject that is relevant and discussed several times throughout the year, as there are different risks during different seasons. Unfortunately, too many people don't take the time or minimal effort to become prepared prior to an emergency. This past few weeks included many examples of the types of events that require us to be prepared.

Earthquakes and flooding around the globe required many people to evacuate and find shelter elsewhere when their homes or communities were destroyed.

In many of these disasters, people were unprepared for such unexpected emergencies. Examples of that were plentiful during media interviews in shelters after the Tennessee towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge burned at the end of November. Many victims had mere minutes to evacuate, escaping with only the clothes they were wearing at the time. Those interviewed were not bemoaning the loss of their property, despite the destruction of over 700 structures; they were simply thankful that they and their family members were able to escape.

Those of us who are paralyzed and require the use of mobility devices or specialized transportation, perhaps public transportation, may not be able to move out of the area as quickly when an evacuation notice is issued. We are at increased risk, but can reduce that risk by being fully prepared to shelter in place or to evacuate early if an emergency situation appears likely to require an evacuation.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has compiled a list of items that are considered to be a necessary part of each household's Basic Disaster Supplies kit. The availability of these items can make it possible to shelter in place for several days in the event of emergencies that make it impossible to leave the home. Prolonged power outages, loss of water supply or road closures due to flooding or snow are just a few examples of what might make sheltering in place necessary.

For people who are paralyzed, some additional items that are not on the FEMA list should be added. These and other critical items that might be needed after evacuating should be stored in a "go bag" that is immediately available whenever we must leave our homes in an emergency. As an example, my go bag is stored in the entryway closet in a red duffel bag so that it will be more visible when leaving the home in an emergency. There may not be time to search through supplies to assemble the contents of a go bag that would be useful during several days in a shelter.