Emergency Kits For Texans With Disabilities And Special Health Care Needs

Hurricane Preparedness Week: May 24 30, 2009

Release Date: May 28, 2009
Release Number: 1791-496

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TEXAS CITY, Texas -- Gulf Coast residents with special health care needs - including people who are disabled or medically fragile – should PLAN IN ADVANCE for storm season according to state and federal emergency management officials. If you have special needs, live in an evacuation zone and do not have friends or family to help you leave, register IN ADVANCE for assisted transportation by dialing 2-1-1.

This service is for people who cannot make other transportation arrangements. If you want to register for assisted transportation and want to verify that you live in an evacuation zone, you may contact 2-1-1.

"Emergency management does not begin and end with FEMA – it involves all levels of the hurricane response team including our other federal partners, state and local governments and officials, and most importantly the general public," said Craig Fugate, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's new administrator. "We are working closely with our partners to prepare for the 2009 Hurricane Season, but it is also imperative that residents do all they can to be prepared."

Here is an evacuation checklist for persons with special health care needs:

Medical equipment and assistive devices (glasses, hearing aid, catheters, augmentative communication devices, cane, wheelchair, scooter, walker, dressing aids, oxygen, tubing, feeding supplies, drinking straws, etc.) Label each with your name and contact information. Be sure to have extra batteries and chargers.
List of model numbers or serial numbers of medical devices and equipment.
Medical alert tags or bracelets and written description of your disability-related or health care conditions.
Medications and copies of all prescriptions, including a list of the prescription name, dosage, frequency, doctor and pharmacist. Also consider if medications need to be refrigerated and if so, bring a cooler with an ice pack or other coolant system.
Hygiene supplies including absorbent pads and urinal as needed and personal grooming items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, towel, washcloth, comb, brush.
Phone numbers and names of your physicians or other health care providers, health insurance information, emergency contact information including your support network members.
Supplies for a service animal including food, identification tags, proof of up-to-date vaccinations and veterinarian contact.

FEMA Hurricane Preparedness Web page: www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/hu_season09.shtm

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters.

Last Modified: Thursday, 28-May-2009 14:38:10

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Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland security
500 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
External Affairs: (202) 646-4600

(800) 621-FEMA / TTY (800) 462-7585
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Emergency Kits For Texans With Disabilities And Special Health Care Needs