In the event of a large earthquake or disaster, rescuers may not be in a position to provide immediate help to all individuals. It is important for neighborhoods to establish a plan for self-sufficiency in case such an event ever occurs. Residents should prepare to be self-sufficient for a period of seven days.

In collaboration with Councilmen Tom LaBonge and Mitchell Englander, this month’s Emergency Management Department (EMD) bulletin highlights earthquake preparedness for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. Specific planning should be made for individuals with the following needs:

Blind or Visual Disability:

  • Install automatic security lights in every room that activate during power disruptions
  • Have extra canes as part of emergency supply kits and readily available to aid in the maneuvering around obstacles
  • Possess flashlights with wide beams and extra batteries
  • Have extra glasses and contacts in reliable locations such as your emergency supply kit
  • Store emergency supplies, labeled in large print, fluorescent tape, and in Braille

Mobility and Physical Disabilities or Limitations:

  • Include heavy gloves to use while wheeling or making your way over glass debris
  • Posses an extra battery and an alternate means of charging your device(s) should electricity be unavailable
  • Prepare to address a flat tire if you do not have puncture proof tires on your scooter or wheelchair
  • Store your emergency supplies in a backpack that may be attached to your mobility device
  • Secure furniture and pre plan emergency escape routes that include appropriate lifting and carrying techniques

Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deaf-Blind:

  • Store extra hearing aids or cochlear implant batteries and chargers, pens/pencils, and paper with your emergency supply kit
  • Plan on how you will communicate with emergency personnel if you do not have your hearing aids or cochlear implant and no interpreter is present
  • Carry pre-printed cards with messages on them, such as “I use American Sign Language (ASL)”
  • Pre determine which broadcast stations will provide continuous captioned news
  • Install both audible and visual smoke alarms

Service Animals and Pets:

  • Prepare to calm your service animal or pet as it may become frightened or confused during a disaster
  • Keep your service animal or pet securely confined, leashed, or harnessed, unless doing so would interfere with the service the dog provides
  • Prepare to navigate your environment in case your service animal cannot be found or is injured
  • Make sure your animal has a tag, license, and microchip with your, and an out-of-town contact’s, contact information
  • Construct evacuation kits for your service animal or pet

Specific Medical Needs:

  • Keep a 10-day supply of all of your medications in their original containers
  • Compile a list of all of your medications with dose, frequency, what the medication is for and the prescribing doctor’s contact information, also include the contact information for the pharmacy from where you obtain your prescriptions
  • Keep a 10-day supply of the medical supplies such as bandages, ostomy bags or syringes, etc.
  • Keep a supply of disposable facemasks and gloves for extra protection when needed

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