Emergency Planning and Accessibility

Emergency preparedness includes developing and practising a family emergency response plan and the preparation of an emergency kit that allows for you and your family to be self-reliant for at least 72 hours.

For people living with a physical, visual, auditory and/or other non-visible disability, emergency preparedness should also involve adding special accommodations into their family emergency response plan, such as:

• Create a network of relatives, friends, or co-workers to assist you in an emergency. Prior to an emergency situation, talk to those in your network and ask them to be part of your preparedness plan. Show them how to operate any medical equipment you use, and practice your emergency procedures, including advising you of broadcast emergency information or warning if you are hearing impaired or deaf.
• Maintain a list of important items and store it with your emergency kit. Give a copy to a family member, friend or neighbour. Important items might include special equipment and supplies (e.g. batteries for medical equipment or items like hearing aids, assistive devices, catheters, inner tubes for your wheelchair tires), prescription names, strengths and dosages, and any special storage information, and contact information for physicians and pharmacists.
• In case you are unable to communicate, wear medical alert tags or bracelets to identify your illness or disability in an emergency.
• 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 your walking aids near you at all times, and if possible, an extra cane or walking aid in different rooms and at work.
• If you have a Service Eye dog, keep a cane handy in case your dog is injured or too frightened to help you during a major crisis.

Durham Regional Police Service improves emergency response for residents who are hearing or speech-impaired:

• Durham Regional Police Service now offers the textwith911 service to residents who are part of the deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech impaired community to use during an emergency. Learn more and sign up on the textwith911.ca website.

For additional resources on emergency preparedness, we recommend:

• Our Emergency Preparedness resources
• Fire Services' Safety and Fire Prevention for People with Disabilities
• The federal government's Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs