People with Disabilities

Alameda County general emergency preparedness top tips

Create a support network of people who will help you if disaster strikes. Consider your family, friends, community organizations, faith-based groups, and neighborhood networks.

Pack a supply of your required, daily needs such as medications and daily medical supplies, glasses, hearing aids and extra batteries in your emergency kit.

Have a plan with your support network for accessible transportation methods for different disasters and account for your communication and mobility devices such as walkers or wheelchairs.

Visit People with Disabilities | Ready.gov to view general emergency preparedness information for People with Disabilities.

Specific Emergencies

Wildfires

• People with disabilities may be at risk due to impaired mobility and communication during evacuations.
• Officials issue evacuations warnings before evacuations orders when possible. To allow extra travel time, older adults may consider evacuating during evacuation warnings or at any point that they feel unsafe. Never wait to be told to leave an unsafe situation.
  
• Fire Safety for People with Disabilities
• The American Red Cross provides fire safety information in American Sign Language such as checklists, home safety visits, and free alert devices which may include bed shakers and strobe alarms.

Heat waves

• Heat can reduce mobility and can make it harder for people with disabilities to evacuate or seek help.
• Sacramento nonprofits respond to people living with disabilities during extreme heat.

Flooding

• People with disabilities may experience a greater risk due to a decreased response time and ability to evacuate quickly.
• Officials issue evacuations warnings before evacuations orders when possible. To allow extra travel time, older adults may consider evacuating during evacuation warnings or at any point that they feel unsafe. Never wait to be told to leave an unsafe situation.

Earthquake

• People with disabilities may experience a greater risk due to a decreased response time and ability to take proper protective actions.
• If You Have a Mobility Disability (Earthquake Safety Video Series)

Power Outage

• People with disabilities who use medical and mobility devices that require electricity may be at risk.
• Resources:
• Medical Baseline Program
  Allows you to get a bill reduction for the use of electricity for qualifying medical devices and extra PG&E notifications when there are planned power shutoffs.
• Portable Battery Program
  If you are income qualified, allows you to receive a fully subsidized battery for use during planned shutoff events.
• Disability Disaster Access and & Resources Program
  This program includes support such as portable backup batteries, hotel accommodation, and food vouchers.
• Vulnerable Customer Status Program
  A self-certifying program for PG&E customers who would be at risk if electric or gas service were disconnected.

Additional Resources

Here are additional resources for people with disabilities to help with disaster preparedness:

• FEMA Caregiver Preparedness Guide
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) have created this Disaster Preparedness Guide for Caregivers to help navigate the unique challenges that may arise when disasters strike.
• Vulnerable Customer Status Program
  A self-certifying program for PG&E customers who would be at risk if electric or gas service were disconnected.
• Alameda County Environmental Impact Centers: Warming Centers, Cooling Centers, Clean Air Facilities