Preparing for Wildfire Emergencies

Make a Plan

Your Support Network

Place a list of your contacts in your emergency kit. Storing it in a watertight container is best. Let your support network know where your emergency supplies are stored.

Ask First Responders for the Supports You Need

Prepare to tell first responders that you would like to go to a shelter where you can bring you needed supports, including your service animal, personal assistant and assistive technology.

Accessible Transportation Options

Contact public transportation or paratransit contacts to map out accessible transportation you could use if you need to evacuate.

Life-sustaining Treatment Locations

It is a good idea to be familiar with more than one location to where you can receive life-sustaining treatment, such as dialysis.

Medical Devices in Power Outages

Ask your doctor or another healthcare provider about the ways you can be prepared for a power outage if your medical equipment uses electricity.

Medical Alerts

Wear medical alert tags or bracelets.

Effective Communication Needs

Identify your need for effective communication. Make a note about your communication disability in your emergency information and let people know the best way to communicate with you.

Plan for evacuating with your assistive technology. Make a note of model numbers of your communications device and other assistive technologies in case they are destroyed. Write whether you received the equipment through Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurer.

Have a back-up plan for non-working equipment. Have laminated cards with pictures or phrases to use if your equipment is not working.

Have ready Braille/text communication cards if you use them.

Plan for your diabetes treatment needs.

Access your health records online. Use the federal government’s online tool to access your electronic health record.