4 minute read
Preparing for an emergency
When an emergency occurs, the worst thing is to be caught off guard, preparing for a natural disaster isn’t as onerous as it may seem. There are four simple steps to get you underway.
Emergency Plan
Advertisement
Prior planning is the key. It’s as simple as knowing the risks to you and how you may need to respond in an emergency event to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Put together an emergency plan that contains all your important information to save you time and give you some peace of mind in case the unthinkable happens. Make sure your loved ones know where this is kept. Prepare to be without any assistance for at least three days.
Emergency Plan Check List Ensure your plan includes the following information for yourself and your loved ones:
Household members contact details
Utility providers contact details
Local council/Emergency services details
Local GP or specialists contacts details
Medical history/list of medications
Hospital’s contacts details
If you have a pet, your veterinary practice details
Get Connected
Identify a support network to help you in emergency situations. This might include family, friends, neighbours, community and carer groups, professionals or volunteers. The most resilient communities are those that are able to support each other in times of need. If you are part of a retirement community or receive support from a care provider, they should be considered a part of your emergency plan.
Friends and neighbours contact details if they are part of your emergency plan
Evacuation routes
Meeting places – where you will shelter in your home or if you must evacuate, where you will go
Your out-of-town contacts and place you will stay if you have to evacuate
In your emergency plan, document your households’ specific needs. This may include any day-to-day routines like mealtimes, activities, sleeping, and care needs (e.g. needs assistance to shower or going to the toilet). Your plan should detail any particulars of your household that would help others to help you (e.g. language spoken at home, cultural support needs, dietary requirements hearing and communication and mobility needs). Consider what durable equipment you or your loved one might need. This includes therapeutic oxygen equipment, walkers, rollators, CPAP devices, specialised cushions to prevent skin breakdown and any other portable Durable Medical Equipment (DME) needed to maintain one’s health. Emergency centres will not have these readily available. If your loved one has dementia, get an identity bracelet with their name, address and telephone number. If you or your loved one has limited mobility or is bedbound, make a detailed plan of how to get around and/or evacuate. You may like to consider a manual wheelchair as backup.
See the next page for your Emergency Kit Checklist.
Neighbourly help when disaster strikes
Finally, put together an emergency kit. Your kit should be kept in a sturdy, easy-to-carry bag or waterproof storage box and stored in a safe place that is easy to access. Include in this kit your emergency plan and important information from steps 1 to 3. Your kit should be ready to go with everything you need. Have in your kit a list of perishable items you can quickly grab and add to the kit if needed. Don’t forget to update the kits contents including your emergency plan details whenever your circumstances change.
Knowing your neighbours can really help when your local area experiences flooding, storm damage, bushfires or any other type of emergency or disaster. The Sunshine Coast Council aims to help connect people with their neighbours to improve community resilience to disaster and emergency events. Shared local knowledge and skills between groups of people is beneficial in helping to get issues sorted faster and easier. If our senior residents and Aged Care facilities are able to prepare and respond quickly themselves during and post an event, our region will be in good stead to recover quickly. Connect with your neighbours. Share how you can help each other during an emergency or disaster.
How to connect with your neighbours:
• Find one or two neighbours and plan a gathering for your neighbourhood, such as a barbecue, garden tour or a pet parade. • Welcome a new neighbour when they move in. You may like to provide homemade treats or menus to your favourite takeaway places. • Work on a community project with your neighbours.
Disaster Hub©
Sunshine Coast Council’s Disaster Hub website has all the information you need to be prepared and stay up-todate with important information when severe weather and disaster events occur.
