If someone needs special assistance in an emergency, you should have a plan. Here are some things to consider:
v Tell your local fire department or Emergency Management Director (EMD) about their special needs. Some towns have a registry where people who may need help during a disaster can list their names and contact info. The town will then be able to contact these individuals during an emergency to make sure they are fine, or help them if they need assistance.
v Talk with a care provider (such as a physician or primary care provider) about what should be done in an emergency. If the person with special needs has a visiting nurse or home healthcare aide, you should also talk with them about a plan.
v Identify a neighbor or family member who can help if a care provider cannot get to them during the emergency. In New Hampshire, where we frequently have snow storms, there may be times when a visiting nurse cannot reach a client because the roads are blocked or closed, trees and electrical wires may be down, etc. This can also be the case for an ice storm, a natural disaster such as the recent Hurricane Irene, etc. Therefore it is very important that you have a back-up plan if the visiting nurse or home healthcare aide cannot reach the person with special needs.
You may not have a family member with special needs, but one of your neighbors may. Consider helping neighbors who may have special needs or would require assistance during a disaster. It can be several days before help from the state or federal government arrives during a disaster, so helping your neighbors can make a big difference!
