Emergency Planning and Accessibility

An emergency can occur at any time. It is important to learn and prepare for an emergency before it happens, including:

• types of emergencies that happen and what to do
• where to find emergency information updates
• emergency preparedness for people with disabilities/special needs
• safety and fire prevention for people with disabilities
• family emergency response plans 
• emergency kits for your household and vehicles
• emergency kits for your service animals and pets 
• subscribe to receive Oshawa emergency alerts 

Living with disabilities or older adults

For community members living with a physical, visual, auditory and/or other non-visible disability, unique accommodations and considerations may be required, including:

• Create a group of family, friends or neighbours to assist you in an emergency. Prior to an emergency, ask them to be part of your emergency plan
• Demonstrate how to operate medical equipment and practice emergency procedures, including how to broadcast emergency information or warning if you are hearing impaired or deaf
• Maintain a list of essential items, store it with your emergency kit, and share a copy with your network. Items may include:
  • special equipment and supplies (e.g. batteries for medical equipment or items like hearing aids, assistive devices, catheters, inner tubes for wheelchair tires)
  • prescription names (strengths and dosages, and any special storage requirements)
  • contact information for doctors and pharmacists
• Wear a medical alert tag or bracelet to identify your illness
• Keep a whistle and flashlight near you, as this will help others find you in an emergency. The international signal for help is three short blasts
• Keep walking aids close by, and if possible, an extra cane or walking aid in different rooms and at work
• if you have a service guide dog, keep a cane handy in case the dog becomes injured or is too frightened to help