— by Ashley Talmadge
Disaster Preparedness for Families with Special Needs
T
he headline-grabbing impact
of recent wildfires, hurri-
canes, and flooding events
has motivated communities to develop
disaster plans and educate their citizens
about the importance of preparedness.
Families who have members with special
needs must take additional precautions.
As the parent of a child with a dis-
ability, you’re good at anticipating and
preparing for the unexpected. But are
you ready for a large-scale emergency?
Would you have the resources you need
if a power outage lasted several days, or
if roads were impassable? Being proac-
tive and planning ahead can go a long
way to keeping your family safe.
Make a
Family Plan
During a disaster, family members
can easily become separated. By de-
veloping a plan and talking about it in
advance, you ensure reunification will
happen as quickly as possible.
important to consider what the individual
need is and incorporate it in your plan.”
Is there a parent who is usually close
enough to pick up a child at school? If
not, which neighbor or friend could pro-
vide the specialized care a child might
need? Also include contingencies for
different types of emergencies. A fire or
flood may necessitate evacuation, while
a winter storm or chemical hazard may
require sheltering in place. Where will
you go in either case?
During a disaster, phone service
may be inconsistent and it is often easier
to connect to a long distance, rather than
local, number. Therefore, Cappelletti
suggests that families “ask an out-of-
town friend or relative be a point of con-
tact.” All family members can check in
with this person and provide status and
location information.
Jessica Cappelletti, Preparedness
Specialist with the Red Cross, says “It’s
6 Parts of Your Family Plan
•
•
•
•
•
•
List of family members and pets with contact info
Evacuation routes
Meeting spot(s)
Responsibilities of each family member
Special needs and instructions
Out-of-area contact person
Share and discuss your plan with the people who regularly care for your
child — school, daycare, extracurricular activities — and coordinate
with their disaster plans. Download the “Family Disaster Plan” template
from the Red Cross: www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-
emergencies/make-a-plan.html
40 WNY Family April 2019
Build Your
Emergency Kit
Ideally, families should build two
types of emergency kits. A “go kit” (usu-
ally a backpack) contains supplies for
at least three days, and will be taken by
each family member in the event of an
evacuation. A “home kit” (usually sev-
eral large bins) contains items required
for the whole family during a “shelter in
place” event for up to two weeks.
Several basics — such as water,
food, first aid and hygiene supplies, bat-
teries, and flashlight — should be in-
cluded in all kits. Other items may be
recommended depending on the type
of disaster most likely in your area, and
your own family’s needs. Many online
resources provide lists of kit necessities.
(See sidebar and visit www.ready.gov/
build-a-kit for examples.)
When your child has special needs,
the following parts of your kit will re-
quire closer attention:
Food: It may be difficult to find
specific foods in the midst of a disaster.
If your child is on a restricted diet, or has
sensory issues that impact her desire to
eat, be sure to stock your kit with non-
perishable foods she can safely enjoy.
Medications: In addition to a 7-day
backup supply of any necessary pre-
scription medications, be sure to include
over-the-counter items that your child
regularly uses, such as melatonin or pro-
tein supplements. Include a medication
list and copies of prescriptions.
Power backup: “A lot of medical
equipment relies on power, so families