Emergency
Preparedness and Planning for People with Disabilities
For
those individuals who have disabilities or for those caring for
individuals with disabilities, emergencies can present real challenges.
Preparing and planning for emergencies is the best way to help cope
with an emergency. Below are some basic steps to prepare for an
emergency:
•
Make a Personal Disaster Plan: This will help you
organize information you will need and activities you will do during
and after a disaster. Include an evacuation plan and identify safe
places to go during an emergency. Also, consider registering with
the Special Needs Registration Program which notifies first responders
where you are in case of an emergency. This information is kept
confidential.
•
Prepare an Emergency Kit: Prepare a kit of emergency
supplies such as water, food, flashlight, first aid kit, blanket,
etc. Also consider medications and other medical supplies, such
as oxygen or eyeglasses, that you will need.
•
Prepare an Emergency Information List: This list
will let others know whom to call when a disaster strikes. This
list should also include medical information such as medications
and physicians.
These
are just some basic steps to assist individuals in preparing for
an emergency. For more specific information and to assist in preparing
an emergency plan, please visit the American Red Cross website at:
http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/Preparing/A4497.pdf
County
Emergency Management Offices
The
County Emergency Management Offices collaborate with municipalities,
first responders, local police departments and local health departments
to share the responsibility for protecting their citizens from disasters,
and for helping them to recover when a disaster strikes.
County
Emergency Management Offices Listing
Atlantic
County: (609) 641-0111 or www.aclink.org/oep/homepage.asp
Bergen:
(201) 646-2705 or www.bcoem.org
Burlington:
(609) 518-7200 or www.geocities.com/burlcntyoem
Camden:
(856) 783-4808 x 6200 or www.co.camden.nj.us
Cape
May: (609) 463-6570 or www.co.cape-may.nj.us
Cumberland:
(856) 455-9515 or www.ccoem.org
Essex:
(973) 621-4111 or www.essexoem.org
Gloucester:
(856) 307-7100 or www.co.gloucester.nj.us/government/departments
Hudson:
(201) 319-3871
Hunterdon:
(908) 788-1196 or www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/911/oem.htm
Mercer:
(609) 799-8868 or www.mercercounty.org
Middlesex:
(732) 316-7100 or www.co.middlesex.nj.us
Monmouth:
(732) 431-7911 or www.shore.com.monmouth.nj.us/publicworks/emergencymanagement.htm
Morris:
(973) 285-2900 or www.morrisoem.org
Ocean:
(732) 341-3451 or www.co.ocean.nj.us
Passaic:
(973) 881-7500 or www.passaiccountynj.org
Salem:
(856) 769-2959 or www.co.salem.nj.us
Somerset:
(908) 725-5070 or www.co.somerset.nj.us/health.html
Sussex:
(973) 579-0888 or www.sussexcountysheriff.org
Union:
(908) 654-9800 or www.ucnj.org
Warren:
(908) 835-2080 or www.co.warren.nj.us/publicsafety
Progressive
Center for Independent Living
The
Progressive Center for Independent Living, Inc. (PCIL) advocates
with local first responders, the NJ Office of Emergency Management,
and New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) to
ensure that the needs of people with disabilities during a disaster
are met. For additional information please contact:
Mercer
County
1262
Whitehorse-Hamilton Road
Madison Corporate
Building A, Suite
Hamilton, NJ 08690
Phone:
609-581-4500
Fax: 609-581-4555
TTY: 609-581-4550
Toll free: 877-917-4500
Hunterdon
County
4
Walter Foran Blvd., Suite 410
Flemington, N.J. 08822
Phone: 908-782-1055
FAX: 908-782-6025
TTY: 908-782-1081
Toll free: 1-877-376-9174
Suggested
Links
Accessible
Emergency Information
American
Red Cross
Federal
Emergency Information
Federal
Emergency Management Agencey (FEMA)
National
Council on Disability: Effective Emergency Management: Making Improvements
for Communities and People with Disabilities
NJ
Office of Emergency Management
Prepare.org
Progressive
Center for Independent Living
