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ELDERLY, DISABLED, OR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: These people may have difficulty moving around after an earthquake. Plan to have someone help them to evacuate if necessary. Also, they may need special foods or medication. Be sure to store several days' supply of these special provisions.

PERSONS WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH: People who cannot speak English often rely on their family or friends for information. If they are separated during an earthquake, they may need help. Prepare emergency information cards, written in English, indicating identification, address, and special needs.

Create a Plan

Meet with household members or your personal care attendant.

• Determine a meeting place or rally point in case you need to leave your home.
• Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster.
• Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones and teach your children how and when to call for help.
• In advance, provide the power company with a list of all power-dependent life support equipment required by family members.
• Develop a contingency plan that includes an alternate power source for critical equipment, and for relocating personnel.
• Learn what to do in case of power outages. Know how to connect or start a back-up power supply for essential medical equipment.
• If you or someone in your household uses a wheelchair, make more than one exit from your home is wheelchair-accessible in case the primary exit is blocked in a disaster.
• Teach those who may need to assist you in an emergency how to operate essential equipment and basic first aid techniques.
• Arrange for a relative or neighbor to check on you in an emergency.
• Learn how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at main valves or switches.
• Plan and practice how to escape from your home in an emergency.
• Consider getting a medical alert system that will allow you to call for help if you are immobilized in an emergency.
• If you live in an apartment, ask the management to identify and mark accessible exits.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

American Heart Association
Find an Emergency Cardiovascular Class
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3012360

American Red Cross
Emergency Preparedness for Seniors and People with Special Needs
http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/preparedness/A4497.pdf

Department of Homeland Security
Elderly Citizens
http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/seniors.html

FEMA
Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities or Other Special Needs
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/specialplans.shtm#1

Caring for Someone with Dementia in a Disaster
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/dementia.shtm

Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management
Taking Responsibility for Your Safety – Tips for People with Disabilities & Activity Limitations
(English) http://lacoa.org/PDF/ESP%2006/ESP%20Disabilities%20Guide%20FINAL%202006.pdf
(Spanish)
http://lacoa.org/PDF/07%20Spanish%20ESP%20Disabilities%20Guide.pdf

Los Angeles Fire Department
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
http://www.lacity.org/dod/handbook.pdf

Medicare
Preparing for Emergencies: A Guide for People on Dialysis
http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10150.pdf