Know What To Expect

• If you have recently moved to this area, take the time to find out what types of natural emergencies have occurred in the past, and what types might be expected.
• Find out what, if any, time of year these emergencies are more prevalent.
• Find out when you should evacuate, and when you should not.
• Your local Red Cross, local law enforcement agencies, local news and radio stations usually provide excellent information and tips for planning.

Know Where To Go

• One of the most important pieces of information you should know is the location of the closest emergency shelter.
• These shelters are opened to the public during voluntary and mandatory evaluation times. They are usually the safest place for you to go, other than a friend or relative’s home in an unaffected area.

Know What to Take With You

• If you are going to a shelter, there will be restrictions on what items you can bring with you. Not all shelters have adequate storage facilities for medications that need refrigeration.
• We recommend that you call ahead and find out which shelter in your area will let you bring your medications and medical supplies, in addition, let them know if you will be using medical equipment that requires an electrical outlet.
• During our planning for a natural emergency, we will contact you and deliver, if possible, at least one week’s worth of medication and supplies. Bring all your medications and supplies with you to the shelter.

Reaching Us if There Are No Phones

• How do you reach us during a natural emergency if the phone lines do not work? How would you contact us? If there is warning of the emergency, such as a hurricane watch, we will make every attempt to contact you and provide you with the number of our cellular phone. (Cellular phones frequently work even when the regular land phone lines do not.)
• If you have no way to call our cellular phone, you can try to reach us by having someone you know call us from his or her cellular phone. (Many times, cellular phone companies set up communication centers during natural disasters. If one is set up in your area, you can ask them to contact us.)
• If the emergency was unforeseen, we will try to locate you by visiting your home, or by contacting your home nursing agency. If travel is restricted due to damage from the emergency, we will try to contact you through local law enforcement agencies.

An Ounce of Prevention

• We would much rather prepare you for an emergency ahead of time than wait until it has happened and then send you the supplies you need.
• To do this, we need for you to give us as much information as possible before the emergency. We may ask you for the name and phone number of a close family member, or a close friend or neighbor. We may ask you where you will go if an emergency occurs. Will you go to a shelter, or a relative’s home? If your doctor has instructed you to go to a hospital, which one is it?
• Having the address of your evacuation site, if it is in another city, may allow us to service your therapy needs through another facility.

Helpful Tips

• Get a cooler and ice or freezer gel-packs to transport your medication.
• Get all of your medication information and teaching modules together and take them with you if you evacuate.
• Pack one week’s worth of supplies in a plastic-lined box or waterproof tote bag or tote box. Make sure the seal is watertight.
• Make sure to put antibacterial soap and paper towels into your supply kit.
• If possible, get waterless hand disinfectant from RiiiD Medical Group Irvine or from a local store. It comes in very handy if you do not have running water.
• If you are going to a friend or relative’s home during evacuation, leave their phone number and address with RiiiD Medical Group Irvine and your home nursing agency.
• When you return to your home, contact your home nursing agency and RiiiD Medical Group Irvine so we can visit and see what supplies you need.

For More Information

There is much more to know about planning for and surviving during a natural emergency or disaster. Review the information form FEMA

http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/emergency_planning.shtm.

The information includes:

• Get informed about hazards and emergencies that may affect you and your family.
• Develop an emergency plan.
• Collect and assemble disaster supplies kit, which should include:
• Three-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Three-day supply of water – one gallon of water per person, per day.
• Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First aid kit and manual.
• Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper).
• Matches and waterproof containers.
• Extra clothing.
• Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener.
• Photocopies of credit and identification cards.
• Cash and coins.
• Special needs items, such as prescription medications, eyeglasses, contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries.
• Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers.
• Other items to meet your unique family needs.
• Learn where to seek shelter from all types of hazards.
• Identify the community warning systems and evacuation routes.
• Include in your plan required information from community and school plans.
• Learn what to do for specific hazards. · Practice and maintain your plan.

An Important Reminder!!

During any emergency situation, if you are unable to contact our facility and you are in need of your prescribed medication, equipment, or supplies, you must go to the nearest emergency room or other treatment facility for treatment.