Preparing for Wildfire Emergencies
Plan now for your daily needs before a wildfire emergency happens. Below are tips on what Oregonians with disabilities can do now to prepare.
For a full list of tips for people with disabilities, go to this Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) webpage: https://www.ready.gov/disability
Tips for Being Prepared
Your County Emergency Office
Some local emergency offices keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be helped quickly. Check in with your county's emergency office using this list of local and tribal emergency managers in Oregon.
Emergency Alerts
Signing up for your county’s emergency alert system is important.
You can sign up for emergency notifications on this page: https://oralert.gov/
Accessible Shelters
Familiarize yourself with your local shelter options.
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.
Receive a “My Pocket Plan”
You can receive a mini-booklet from your local county emergency management office where you can record family information, evacuation plans, and important medical and insurance information.
The Pocket Plan was created by the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. Email public.info@state.or.us for more information. If you complete the Pocket Plan, you can receive a Certificate of Preparedness signed by Governor Kate Brown.
Receive your Social Security Benefits Electronically
Disasters can interrupt mail service for weeks at a time or longer. If you receive federal benefits like Social Security, consider signing up for electronic payments. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recommends:
Direct deposit to a checking or savings account. If you get federal benefits you can sign up by calling 800-333-1795 or sign up online.
The Direct Express® prepaid debit card is alternative to paper checks. Call toll-free at 877-212-9991 or sign up online.
Support if You Evacuate
If you evacuate from a wildfire and need support related to your disability, the Red Cross Disability Integration team can help advocate for you and connect you to needed supports.
The team can help with physical accessibility issues at shelters, communication needs that aren't being met, or if you're having trouble accessing durable medical equipment through Red Cross's Disaster Health Services.
The Red Cross Disability Integration program helps evacuees staying at any type of Red Cross evacuation placement, including, hotels, motels and shelters.
Contact the Oregon Fires Disaster General Disability Integration:
Email: DR568-21DI@redcross.org
Phone (voice & text): 510-712-3796