Long Island, New York
Steven Bellone, County Executive
Preparing and Planning for an Emergency for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs
If you or someone close to you has a disability or a special need, you may have to take additional steps to protect yourself and your family in an emergency.
May be extremely reluctant to leave familiar surroundings when the request for evacuation comes from a stranger. A guide dog could become confused or disoriented in a disaster. People who are blind or partially sighted may have to depend on others to lead them, as well as their dog, to safety during a disaster.
May need to make special arrangements to receive warnings.
May need special assistance to get to a shelter.
Single working parent
May need help to plan for disasters and emergencies.
Non-English speaking persons
May need assistance planning for and responding to emergencies. Community and cultural groups may be able to help keep people informed.
People without vehicles
May need to make arrangements for transportation.
People with special dietary needs
Should take special precautions to have an adequate emergency food supply.
People with medical conditions
Should know the location and availability of more than one facility if dependent on a dialysis machine or other life-sustaining equipment or treatment.
People with mental retardation
May need help responding to emergencies and getting to a shelter.
People with dementia
Should be registered in the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return Program
If you have special needs: Find out about special assistance that may be available in your community. Register with the office of emergency services or the local fire department for assistance so needed help can be provided.
Check for hazards in the home
During and right after a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause fire is a home hazard. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures, or overhead lights that could fall in an earthquake or a flood and block an escape path.
Be ready to evacuate
Have a plan for getting out of your home or building (ask your family or friends for assistance, if necessary). Also, plan two evacuation routes because some roads may be closed or blocked in a disaster.
John G. Jordan Sr.
Director of the Office of Emergency Management
102 EAST AVE
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates the county's response to natural or man made disasters. OEM personnel are responsible for the operations of the county's Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and work with local, state, and federal officials in shelter management, planning, resource management, and radiological response coordination.
Phone: (631) 852-4900
Fax: (631) 852-4922
© Suffolk County Government, 2015