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Brochure helps Delawareans prepare for emergencies

Designate a preparedness buddy
February 26, 2017

Winter weather can bring high winds, snow, ice and extremely cold temperatures. Responding to those and other potential hazards - such as power outages, fires, floods and disease outbreaks - is less stressful when emergency plans are in place. This is particularly true for adults and children with disabilities, seniors and those with temporary or chronic health conditions, language barriers or any other issue that might make mobility difficult in an emergency. That's why the Division of Public Health is encouraging use of the Preparedness Buddy Brochure. 

This downloadable and printable brochure from the Office of Preparedness is a great tool that asks people with access and functional needs to identify a preparedness buddy to help them get ready to manage through emergencies. It provides these individuals, and their support network or buddy, with a step-by-step template for developing a personal emergency plan for use in situations where they may need to evacuate their homes or shelter in place.

To download or view the Preparedness Buddy brochure in English, Spanish or Haitian Creole, go to www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/php/preparednessbuddy.html. The department recommends printing the brochure, filling in such important information as medications one is taking, food and drug allergies, medical supplies and equipment, medical and personal caregivers or disability service providers, primary care physician, communication and mobility challenges, and specific transportation needs. For those who have a pet or service animal, include their information and needs, and then share it with friends and family. The department especially advises people with access and functional needs who live alone to find a primary preparedness buddy, as well as an alternate buddy. They should also identify and send a copy of the brochure to an out-of-state preparedness buddy.
"Keeping all Delawareans safe is a priority of the Division of Public Health," said Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. "Most everyone has someone with access and functional needs in their family or friend network. By helping those who may need extra assistance prepare for emergencies, we are taking an important step toward doing just that. We strongly urge anyone with access and functional needs to take advantage of the Preparedness Buddy brochure as a precaution in case of an emergency."

DPH urges loved ones or those serving people with access and functional needs to print and fill out the brochure if an individual is unable. Included may be people with hearing, mobility, cognitive, emotional and mental challenges, as well as older people, children, those with limited or no English language proficiency, those from diverse cultures, individuals who use life-support systems, people who use service animals, and people who are medically or chemically dependent (meaning those who must regularly take medications or receive medical care, or are struggling with substance abuse).

The division advises these steps for people with access and functional needs to plan for emergencies:

  • Find a preparedness buddy and an alternate buddy. Delawareans who live alone or have special needs should ask someone dependable to serve as their preparedness buddy and their alternate.
  • Complete the preparedness buddy personal emergency plan brochure. Keep the original plan on the refrigerator and a copy in a disaster kit. Give copies to preparedness buddies to keep.
  • Include in the personal emergency plan what to do in case of interrupted utilities (electricity, gas, phone and garbage disposal) and interrupted transportation (medication deliveries, transportation to and from work, and caregiver and family visits). Home healthcare clients should contact their providers to ask how bad weather impacts their schedule and ability to reach clients. Include contact names, street addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Review and update emergency plans each year or during peak disaster seasons.
  • The Preparedness Buddy should regularly check in on their designated buddy to ensure they have enough medication, oxygen, medical supplies, food, and water.
  • Read the Emergency Preparedness section of the Guide to Services for Older Delawareans and Persons with Disabilities, pages 82-84. Go to http://www.delawareadrc.com/.
  • Register Delawareans with access and functional needs at Smart 9-1-1, https://www.smart911.com/. The service allows residents to create a free safety profile for their household that includes any information they want 9-1-1 and first responders to have in the event of an emergency. When anyone in that household dials 9-1-1 from a phone associated with their safety profile, their profile is immediately displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, providing additional information that can be used to facilitate the proper response to the proper location.
  • Read the emergency planning instructions for Sussex County Emergency Operations. For more information, call 302-855-7801 or go to www.sussexcountyde.gov/emergency-operations-center.

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