CATHERINE LEIGH GRAHAM – USC SOM KIMBERLY TISSOT – ABLE SOUTH CAROLINA MIKE PATTERSON – THE SALVATION ARMY Emergencies, Disasters & Your Assistive Technology

What Emergencies Does SC Have?

Hurricanes & Tropical Storms

Tornados

Flooding

Earthquakes

Fires

Hazardous Materials

Dam Failure

Severe Winter Weather

Pandemic Flu

Terrorism

Nuclear Power Plants

When An Emergency Occurs: Where will you be? Will you know what to do? Are your plans in place? What if you need accommodations? Do you have a back-up strategy? Who can you call?

Why Should You Make a Plan? You can cope with any emergency by thinking ahead, getting supplies together, and being informed. It's much easier to plan ahead than to deal with the consequences of being unprepared. Being prepared is your best defense, and it's your responsibility.

Make a PLAN Local Emergency or Disaster Plan A Family Communications Plan A Specific Meeting Place

What types of emergencies might happen inside your home? Fire  Candles  Oven/Stove  Heaters Gas Leak Power Outage

IPC Smoke & Fire Action Planner My Living Situation Warnings Devices Maintenance Plan to Get Out Fast Practice Getting Out Fast When Out

What types of emergencies might happen outside of your home? Who will you call for help? How will you communicate with others? Will you stay or will you go? If you leave your home, where can you go? If you stay home, do you have supplies?

IPC Disaster Readiness Planner My Living Situation Communicating Deciding Staying Leaving Traveling Sheltering Returning

How will you communicate with others? How do you get information? How do you get in touch with family & friends? Do you have a back-up plan if the power goes out? (texting uses less battery life than calling) Do you have a way to communicate with emergency personnel (fire, police, shelters)?

Disaster/Emergency KIT For Home, Work and Car Fresh water – 1 gallon per person per day Non-perishable food/Manual can opener First Aid Kit Non-prescription & prescription medications (2-3 weeks) Tools - Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities Sanitation Clothing and Bedding, Sleeping bag, blankets Important Documents - Insurance policies, identification & bank account in a ziploc (on flashdrive) Battery-powered or hand-crank radio Back up cell phone charger Flashlight & extra batteries A whistle & matches in a ziploc Baby wipes & trash bags Cash or/and change

Disaster/Emergency KIT For Home, Work and Car Additional Items to Consider: Eye glasses Infant formula and diapers Hearing aid/batteries Service Animal food and extra water Special Diet/Nutrition/Supplements Back up pieces of Assistive Technology

Preparation Meet with your family, PCA & your building manager Choose an “out-of-town” contact Decide where to meet BEFORE the emergency Communications plan Locate escape routes & safe places Plan for pets Prepare for different hazards Insurance coverage – know what is and isn’t covered Inventory possessions, maybe take photos Copies of vital documents Reduce home hazards

Review & Maintain Plan Review the plan every 6 months Conduct fire & emergency drills regularly Restock supplies & check for expiration dates every 6 months Test & maintain safety equipment (smoke alarms, batteries, fire extinguishers, etc.)

If Disaster Strikes FOLLOW YOUR PLAN If you are instructed to take shelter immediately, do so at once. If you are instructed to evacuate:  Try to go to family or friends first  Emergency public shelters are available if you need them  If you need a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), bring one with you if possible.

Resources

Emergency Planning Committee for People with Functional Needs (EPCPFN) The EPCPFN is a group of organizations and agencies that have come together to:  Educate people with functional needs about “what preparedness means” to them.  Assist the Emergency Management Community in planning for individuals and communities with functional needs.  Assist in planning for the “Whole Community”

Get Involved If you are interested in participating in emergency drills/exercises, please let us know. Get to know your local/county emergency managers

CONTACTS Catherine Leigh Graham USC School of Medicine Kimberly Tissot Able South Carolina Mike Patterson The Salvation Army –North & South Carolina