Earthquake Preparedness for Disabled

Consider how you go about your daily life; think about how a disaster will impact your life. Take into consideration what you do independently and where you may need assistance in your daily life. Keep in mind your regular sources of assistance may not be available after a disaster. Plan now for how you will meet your needs in a disaster. Plan now for

  • How you will meet your needs in a disaster.
  • What if power, gas, phone lines are not working?
  • What if roads and sidewalks are impassible or your means of transportation is unavailable?
  • How will you maintain supplies of water, food, medications, and other critical needs?

TO DO Make a list of equipment and medication that you may need if you had to leave your home. Store a copy in your disaster supplies kit. Create Safe Places

  • When you enter a room, look for safe places to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
  • Safe spaces are places where heavy or falling objects and breaking glass won’t injure you, such as under tables or desks, along inside walls, etc.
  • The more limitations you have, the more important it is to create safe spaces for yourself especially if you cannot Drop, Cover, and Hold On under a desk, table, etc.
  • Create safe spaces by bolting heavy furniture to wall studs, move heavy items to low shelves and secure hanging art to wall.
  • When you are out in public places, be aware of your surroundings and identify your safe spaces.
  • Is your essential equipment such as oxygen or other life support secured so it won’t fall or get damaged?

Before An Earthquake

Eliminate Hazards If you cannot take cover, you must make sure that there is nothing that could fall on you. This is particularly important for wherever you spend a great deal of time – your bed, desk or work area. Besides the possibility of injury, fallen debris could make it difficult for you to walk or move a wheel chair, making evacuation impossible. Special equipment such as telephones and life support systems should be securely fastened down. Tanks of gas such as oxygen should be belted in place with two chains bolted to the wall. If tanks of gas are knocked over and the valves damaged, they can propel themselves around the room like missiles. Stock Additional Supplies In addition to regular earthquake supplies, stock other supplies that are essential to your safety and comfort. Maintain at least a week’s supply. Always carry a card with your name, address and essential medical information. Additional supplies to keep at your bedside, at work and with your wheelchair

  • Police whistle or loud bell to signal others if you are trapped
  • Flashlight
  • Extra medication, medical supplies and equipment such as bladder pads, catheters, hearing aid, batteries, pencils and papers, particularly for the hearing impaired to communicate with persons who don’t know sign language, and copies of prescriptions and other items for your particular situation.

Plan At Work If you rely on elevators to get into your work place, emergency evacuation could be a real challenge. There should be two accessible emergency exits and a realistic evacuation plan. Encourage disaster response preparation discussions at work, and make sure that such plans consider persons with disabilities. Practice the Buddy System There should be at least two buddies willing to help you at work, and you should try to find two or more at home. These buddies should be willing to check on you after any emergency or disaster, and to assist you when needed. Most people are happy to help, but they need to know what to do:

  • First explain to them that you are getting prepared for an earthquake or other disaster, and encourage them to do the same.
  • Tell them about your special needs and concern.
  • Familiarize them with any equipment you use. For example, show then how your wheel chair works, whether the arms come off, and how to go up or down a curb.
  • Let them know of any particular harm that untrained help might cause.
  • Invite your neighbourhood buddies into your home to let them become familiar with the layout and the location of supplies.
  • Give a key to a trusted friend.

During an Earthquake

You are advised to take cover. The greatest danger is from falling objects. But it is important that after you take cover you will be able to move to a safer place if necessary. If it would be impossible or even difficult for you to get out from under a desk or table, don’t get under it. If you are in a wheelchair, stay in it. Turn away from windows. Move the chair into a doorway with your back towards the hinge, or move away from hazards such as falling books or furniture. Set the brake on the chair and, if possible, lean over or hold a pillow, book or even an empty wastebasket over your head and neck for protection. If you have difficulty moving, but you are not in a wheelchair, assess the situation. Often, you will be safest just staying where you are. If you are in bed or sitting down, stay there while the ground is shaking. If you are on your feet, sit down on the floor or in a chair if it is very close. The Care Giver The important thing to do at this time is to protect yourself. You will be needed most after the earthquakes. So take cover, and if possible, call to the other person with reassurance. When the quake is over, proceed carefully to check on those for whom you are responsible, and assess the situation of the building as you check them for injuries. If an evacuation is necessary, move carefully, and take essential equipment with you.

After an Earthquake

What you do after an earthquake depends on where you are and what your personal situation is. Check yourself carefully for injuries. Use the telephone only if you desperately need help. If you are trapped, use your whistle, bell, or flashlight to attract attention. Pound on beams or windows, walls or pipes, or wave a sheet or jacket out the window. To Evacuate or Not to Evacuate? The decision to evacuate is an important one. If evacuation is easy, and if there is any possibility of fire or structural damage, then evacuate to a safe outdoor place. If evacuation would be difficult, then take time to decide. In general, the rule is to evacuate if there is a threat of injury by remaining where you are. If there is no fire, gas leak, or chemical spill and no significant structural damage, then you do not need to evacuate, particularly if the evacuation might be hazardous to you. If it is necessary to evacuate, people with disabilities should be evacuated last. This is for your own protection, so that you will not be injured in a rush of people. If you are in a wheelchair, on crutches, or use a walker, be sure to ask assistance. It takes two people to assist a person in a wheelchair. Give directions for helping you clearly and calmly. Tell people what items you will need at the evacuation area.

Disability-Specific Tips

What if you have refrigerated medications?

  • Keep your medications in the refrigerator until it begins to get warm, and then move it to the freezer until it is warm. Then transfer medication to as small an insulated container as possible.
  • Use chemical cold packs to keep your medications cool.
  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medications can be unrefrigerated, and if so, for how long.
  • If you evacuate to a shelter, let shelter staff know that you have refrigerated medications.

For Deaf or Hearing Impaired

  • Have more than one method to receive warnings and evacuation information.
  • If you use any hearing or communication devices, store extra batteries and supplies in your disaster kits.
  • Keep pen and paper in your kits for receiving and communicating information.
  • Ask a Personal Support Team member to keep you up to date on any emergency information.
  • Advocate for yourself and develop your personal support team so you do not become information isolated or left behind.

For Blind or Visually Impaired

  • Earthquakes can cause items to fall and furniture to shift making navigating the room more difficult.
  • Sound clues may not be available.
  • If you need to evacuate, move slowly and check for obstacles in the way. Consider shuffling your feet if there is a lot of debris on the ground.
  • Store extra canes, batteries and supplies for your communication devices.
  • Label Emergency Supplies using large print, fluorescent tape, Braille, or other methods that work for you

Helpers, Buddies and Rescue Workers

  • First, try to locate everyone who might need assistance. Look for people with visual or hearing disabilities. Be respectful and considerate. Try to help without endangering human dignity. Get enough people to do what is necessary without injuring anyone.
  • When assisting someone with a disability begin by asking the person if they need help and what can you do to assist. Listen to the answer. If you have trouble understanding, ask them to clarify or write down the requests. The person with the disability is in the best position to know the type of assistance required. The person who rushes to help without asking first could cause serious injury.
  • When assisting someone who uses a cane, crutches or walker, remember that these will be needed in the evacuation area.
  • Evacuate the disabled person last, and remember that a hazardous evacuation is the last resort. It requires at least two persons to take a person in a wheelchair up or down a flight of stairs, and it can be dangerous. If there is no compelling threat to safety, a person in a wheel chair would be better off remaining in the building.

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