Showing posts with label Emergency Preparedness. Show all posts

Sunday, November 1, 2015

It's A Matter Of Using Social Media during an Emergency....

This is a road that I used to drive on to go in to town when I lived in South Carolina. If you look closely, you will see that the workers are standing near the edge of a big flood. Just know that there are several lanes of road under the water. This is a major thoroughfare in Columbia SC. The flooding took place in early October. I wrote about this topic somewhat in this post.

I had the opportunity to go down to the impacted areas of Columbia as I happened to be visiting. I also know many good people who are helping those who have been displaced. I have watched in awe as so many service-oriented individuals have jumped in to help in a variety of ways. How did everyone know what to do and what to donate? It has been done and continues to be done with Social Media.

Social Media during an Emergency....

Within days, the S.Beltline Community had a Facebook page up and running. After posting pictures of the flooding and damage, they started posting needs. Here is one of the first posts from this community:

Here are some of the early posts from this group of volunteers: (These posts were put up within a couple of days after the flooding).

"We will be starting our first Community Tent today around 10:00 this morning at the corner of Glenhaven and Whispering Pines Circle. PLEASE PARK at the Pinewood Baptist Temple at 1510 S Beltline Blvd, Columbia, SC 29205. It's a short block down Glenhaven to check-in at the Community Tent."

"FANS, FANS, FANS! We need FANS - box fans or commercial grade- we REALLY need these to air out several homes. And if you have an extension cord, PLEASE bring it too! Pls put your name on anything you bring so it gets back to you! When you sign in at the Community Tent, we will do our best to note any items you bring as a reminder. THANK YOU!"

URGENT NEED!!
We desperately need a SUMP PUMP ASAP!! House has 4 ft of standing water in a house on Timberlane!!

Magically, people and needed items began to appear. These are brand new fans that were just dropped off for anyone who may have needed them.

Just one day later, the needs list grew:

UPDATE ON NEEDS FOR TOMORROW:
After you drop off items, PLEASE park at Palmetto Baptist Temple at the end of Glenhaven!! There will be many more commercial crews on the street that will need access to houses/street parking.
IF ANYONE HAS A GOLF CART TO BRING & SHUTTLE VOLUNTEERS,THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC!
Friday will be a BIG sorting, cleaning & demo day, so we'd love to have ALL HANDS ON DECK! smile emoticon
#1 Need - **PLASTIC BINS - assorted sizeds for packing salvaged items (stand up better with damp items)
*PU trucks for moving salvaged furniture/items
*Wheelbarrows (we promise to give them back when you leave!!)
*HAND SANITIZER (never enough....)
*Push Brooms
*"TO-GO" meal containers so volunteers can take meals directly to the residents
*Packing tape "guns" for tape rolls we have or individual packing tape dispensers w/serated cutting edge
*Heavy duty work gloves
**Latex & non-latex gloves (everything is still pretty wet)
**SIZE 12 / LARGE Ladies clothing (loose fitting/comfortable)
**DIET & REGULAR SOFT DRINKS (for caffiene and variety)
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS, GRACIOUS/GENEROUS DONORS & WONDERFUL VENDORS!! We could not have gotten through today without you!!
We hope to see you soon!

Who are these people coordinating and working together? Which government agency is managing all of these needs? NONE! These are volunteers from Columbia and the surrounding communities.

Requests for Hard Hats, Wheel Barrows, N95 masks, Gloves, food, and hand sanitizer were constant. The need for Volunteers was mounting...

The Sewer Treatment Plant had also flooded. This meant that sewage was mixing with the Flood waters....as were 'critters' such as snakes. Volunteers had to be very careful to protect themselves.

PLEASE READ THIS ONE AND PASS ALONG: I spoke with (individual) this morning. Her husband has been very involved in getting medical care for volunteers. She wants me to share that if you've been working in and around these contaminated waters and you have any doubt at all about your last tetanus, you need to head over and get a booster. This is for anyone who needs it. Help me share this with various work site pages.
2 hrs ago- Columbia, SC ·
Wound care and tetanus shot updates continue SATURDAY and SUNDAY from 9 am until 8 pm. If you have any sort of cut or scratch from cleanup work AND it's been 5 years since your last shot, come get one. 4811 Devereaux Road, 29205.
Shout out to great workers from Palmetto Health, Columbia Fire Department, and Richland County EMS!

Local businesses provided food to those who were impacted and the volunteers.

Here is a post from a local Volunteer:

"Spent the afternoon with my daughter handing out water to residents in some severely affected neighborhoods near Midlands Tech. Many of the residents were Spanish speakers, so I called my Son at BYU and asked him to talk to the Hispanic people and ask them what they need. (One man told my Son he was hungry, so I called Marco's Pizza on Rosewood and they delivered a dozen FREE pizzas that my daughter and I handed out with the water.

Then we went back to get more water and made 2 more trips to Marco's and picked up another 40 or so pizzas and distributed those to citizens in need.

Super Kudos to Marco's Pizza, who made no attempt to sell pizza, but used all their supplies on hand and made hundreds of pizzas that were given to hungry people!!"

The next day....

"So, after the cool experience yesterday, decided to do more of the same today. Loaded up with water and headed out to the same apartment complex -- armed with 30 Chick-Fil-A sandwiches -- thanks Chris Eckert and Christopher Callaway at the Garners Ferry Road store. Took the Spanish-speaking LDS missionaries with me and we found several groups of Spanish-speaking people in their apartments (multiple families) and gave them food and water. Then we invited others to come to the Church later and we'd have more food. We fed about 30 people at the Church with food prepared and delivered by the Spanish group of the Church at Windsor Lake

I restocked with 10 pizzas from Ci Ci's on Garners Ferry (thanks Juan!) and fed folks at the Church and went back into the apartment complexes.

Also got donated food from PDQ (thanks Michael .... and Tim Tebow, whom I found out is one of the investors).
People were so gracious and humbled by the help, and I just really enjoyed seeing their smiles."

Meetings were set up to work with the City, County, and Federal programs. All were advertised in social media:

We have been providing DSNAP information for over a week. If you are in Richland County and want to apply, DSS says here is when/where you need to go:
Week of November 2 – 6:
Word of God Church and Ministries
119 Diamond Lane...See More

SC flood victims eligible for food assistance programs, no matter income level

South Carolina residents who lost property or income due to this month’s historic flooding are now eligible…

SOUTHCAROLINARADIONETWORK.COM

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As you might expect....there were rumors that needed to be addressed:

There are many rumors and myths that are percolating out there. Here are some FACTS about rebuilding, permits, etc.

1. FEMA has NOT moved the flood plain as a result of this flood. FEMA and Richland County GIS show the 2002 FEMA flood zones. Some floodplain areas were revised in late October 2014 and again in August 2015, so determining whether your property was included or excluded from the 100 year flood zone as a result of these revisions could mean the difference of what type of permit you need and whether you have to bring your property up to code and raise it.

2. No final decisions have been made about who can and who can't rebuild. The County has not committed to nor started the process for buying out properties.

3. As for whether your house must be raised/brought up to current Code depends on whether you are in the 100 year floodplain and if so, whether your expense to return the home to its ore-flood condition exceeds 50% of the fair market value of your building/home. You may be required to get an Elevation Certificate, which must be prepared and certified by a Licensed Land Surveyor, Registered Professional Engineer or Registered Architect who is authorized by state or local law to certify elevation information. The certificate is used to confirm whether you are in the 100 year floodplain. Because the value-to-expense calculation will vary per property, each "rebuild/raise" determination will be different.

4. If the homeowner has decided to relocate instead of rebuild, that changes the direction for FEMA, so residents need to give that info to FEMA if they have already made that decision. Then an SBA team takes your case to pursue their mortgage loan option for the house you choose for relocation. Your current mortgage lender(s), if you have mortgage(s), will need to be involved in the process should you not have enough money to payoff your existing mortgage(s) [short-sale].

5. If you are in the 100-year floodplain, you will need an estimate from a licensed residential or general contractor in order to pull a permit and perhaps more depending on whether your property is in the City of Columbia. If you hire a licensed contractor, which officials recommend, they will pull the permit instead of the homeowner.

6. Regardless of who pulls the permit, all mechanical tradesmen (subs like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, etc.) will also have to pull a SEPARATE permit if your house is in the floodplain.

7. Inspections for substantially damaged structures are tentatively set to begin this week for Richland County properties. These are done in conjunction with FEMA using 4-person "teams." All Richland County inspectors will be in Richland County vehicles. Before allowing anyone in your home, county officials recommend that you get a picture of the inspector, their ID badge and business cards. If they will not provide this or if you have any question about the inspectors or the inspection, Richland County officials suggest you call (803) 929-6000 ASAP to verify.

8. If you are in a condo or town home that shares common walls and/or roof, FEMA considers the entire building as a WHOLE. They do not look at these as individual units even though they have different tax numbers. If one of those units is in a flood plain, then the entire building is considered to be in the flood plain.

9. There are opportunists and ne'er-do-wells popping up everywhere saying their business has "permits" to begin work. Those with hanging "city" tags are NOT city employees and they do NOT have permits. Those "city tags" are merely business licenses they have to buy in order to solicit their services. The City and County HAVE NOT ISSUED ANY PERMITS TO BEGIN WORK IN OUR AREA.

10. The green and yellow signs the County stapled on doors do NOT have anything to do with determinations for rebuilding, etc. Those signs were posted after a preliminary inspection to say whether or not it was safe to enter or inhabit the house.

10. The valuation of your home/damage is determined locally using FEMA's inspection process based on an upcoming inspection of your property. Who handles the valuation and permitting depends on whether your property is located within the City. If it is, then you will apply for permits with the City. If you are not in a municipality (unincorporated), then the County will handle your permitting.

11. Don't even think about starting work without a permit! This could cause your permitting fee to as much as DOUBLE, delay your rebuild and seriously affect your ability to sell or insure your home in the future.

12. For more information on permits for unincorporated properties located in Richland County, go to http://www.richlandonline.com/…/BuildingCodesI…/Permits.aspx

13. For information on permits for floodplain properties within the City of Columbia, go to http://www.columbiasc.net/development-inspections

Each day, the needs are posted from tearing out, removing debris etc. (This load of Plywood was donated to help the displaced families comply with the legal requirement to board up their homes). Just to get a feel for the current needs, here is a list of wanted items/volunteers that was posted for today (Sunday 11/1/15)

SUNDAY'S NEEDS: LESS RAIN!!!URGENT NEED: VOLUNTEERS!! Come help us hang the plywood and finish debris cleanup!! We will also have donation sorting and boxing.PLEASE DROP OFF all donations @ 100 WHISPERING PINES CIRCLESTILL NEEDED:Gallon-sized zip lock bagsWindow cleanerDishwashing liquidClothes detergent pods(easier to separate than liquid or powder)BroomsHandles for 12 oz. mop headsHand sanitizer (8-10 oz)Children & Adult underwear & socks(All sizes)Baby food -VegetablesMany thanks to all the angels who appear with these items throughout the day.Our volunteer crews have been working day/night + in the rain to help the residents of MORE THAN 50 homes + apartments with their tear outs, debris removal, water and mold abatement! And we will not stop helping them recover. ‪#‎laboroflove‬ ‪#‎southbeltlinestrong‬ ‪#‎floodfamily‬ ‪#‎floodfriends‬

There are so many types of service being offered. Last night the volunteers hosted a Trunk-or-Treat event for the families that had been displaced. (This picture makes me weep...)

Take home message.....

This community did not wait for the Governmental Authorities to come. They saw a need, organized themselves, and reached out to the community.
These folks used Social Media to share needs and requests for help. The people in the immediate area were asked to share this page to inform others about what the needs were and how they could help. It had hundreds of 'likes' in a short period of time and now has nearly 2,000 likes. (By clicking 'like' folks can see the posts from this Service Group).
I witnessed cars driving past and dropping off needed items. Volunteers from many Churches, College Students, groups from other cities (Spartanburg, etc) and States (I saw a group from Alabama). Folks were coming from all across the country to help.
Thousands of hours of volunteered service have cleaned out homes, helped remove debris, set up a make-shift store where all items are free (clothing, diapers, furniture, appliances), and this weekend are putting up plywood over doors and windows.
These volunteers have committed to stay here and help for the long haul.

St. Matthew 25:40 "...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

I am grateful for the tremendous service and sacrifice these volunteers are offering folks they often don't even know. I feel blessed to witness this miracle unfolding through the use of social media. The "Class" being taught by this group of volunteers continues to be in session... May the Lord Bless them all in their continued efforts to serve their fellow man.

If you are in a position to help financially, please go here: https://www.gofundme.com/southbeltlineclean.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

It's A Matter of the South Carolina Flooding Relief Efforts.

How would you react to your street filling up with water....very quickly.

Would you know what to do as the flood waters moved closer to your front door?

Would you be thinking of how you are going to get to work as damns and bridges begin to give way?

What would your thoughts be to see the road you took your children to school on after it had become a river?

These, and a lot of other questions are being addressed in the wake of the flooding in the Columbia South Carolina Area. Literally dozens of roads have been washed away or closed, many damns have been breached, and the mighty flood gates of the Lake Murray Damn have been opened to attempt to manage the inundated low country.

In the early part of October, torrential rains fell quickly. People found that they had to move quickly to either protect their homes, or evacuate. Many lost homes, some lost their livelihood. So what did the good people of South Carolina do? They jumped in and began to work.

Volunteers began to gather needed items for those who had been displaced.

A command center was placed in one of the effected neighborhoods.

Volunteers from several denominations and businesses began to arrive. Initially they were from the local area, but within days people from other states began to arrive to assist in the clean up.

The Media came and went.

But the volunteers kept coming, the supplies keep coming, and the folks keep moving forward. There is no rioting or angry protests. Instead, there is calm, gracious service. There is care and concern and willingness to help at a moments notice.

A friend and resident of the area wrote a very beautiful summary of how things currently are. My thanks to Janie S for her eloquence:

News From the Flood Front

Well, all the national media have taken their super star announcers and their bright lights and cameras and gone home. Moving on to the next story. And here in South Carolina, we carry on, with neighbors helping neighbors. Here’s what’s going on in my part of the world:

Everywhere you see work trucks and workmen from all over the southeast, fixing our roads and bridges, keeping us from traveling on unsafe travel routes. Me, when stopped yet again by another new roadblock: “If this road is closed, can I go that way?” Answer: “Ma’am, I don’t know. I’m from Tennessee.”

I drive through previously beautiful , prosperous neighborhoods, and see houses cleaned out to the studs, daylight visible from one side through to the others. And the owners precious belongs (pictures, rocking chairs, books, china cabinets) all piled on the side of the road in a huge, broken mass as giant trucks with huge claws scrape up the debris, crush it and dump it into the waiting maw of the truck.

I’ve volunteered in a neighborhood disaster relief center, set up on a street corner by a lawyer who felt she needed to do something. It has grown into a vital hub of the relief effort, staffed by volunteers from all walks of life, serviced with meals from all sorts of organizations, and offering food, clothing, cleaning supplies and tools to whoever needs them.

I spent the afternoon today in a small trailer in Eastover SC, packing up the entire insides of this home. FEMA said the entire floor and duct work had to be ripped out and replaced because the water had lapped the bottom of the trailer and mold was starting to grow. Mold is the enemy here in SC. And other friends will be there tomorrow to do the ripping out.

Over 400 roads and more than 150 bridges were washed out during the 20+ inches of rain in two days. Interstates were closed, dams failed, homes and businesses were washed away or flooded to the roof, and 19 people lost their lives. Lost lives can never be replaced. About half of the roads and bridges have been repaired, with a target date of after Thanksgiving for the majority remaining. There are detours everywhere, and it takes twice as long to get anywhere. Rush hour traffic is a nightmare.

School in Richland One is on a one-hour delay for the foreseeable future, as it takes so long for the buses to navigate the winding, circuitous routes they must now take, avoiding closed roads.

The boil water advisory has finally been lifted. The dam above the canal that supplied water to most of Columbia was breached, and it took almost two weeks to repair it. Some wells in outlying areas are still compromised.

And so much, much more that I have not mentioned – the churches, the civic groups, the individuals, the companies – all just pitching in and working together, with no thought of recognition or reward.

Everyone is helping everyone. I really have not heard much complaining. We are just getting through this. No looting to speak of, no anti-government tirades. Just facing forward, looking for that tired, weary, “I don’t know what to do now” face in the crowd and offering a helping hand in whatever way is needed. “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 12:40

South Carolina knows how to serve their neighbor. It is our tremendous opportunity to observe, learn and apply their powerful lesson. Please take note....class is in session.

(For the next few posts, I will share with you the things that are going 'right' in this Flood Relief effort. I hope you will share the ride with me. I am so thankful to these good folks for letting me observe and see their goodness in the face of great trial).

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

5 Things New Moms Can Do to Prepare for Disasters from Preparedness Momma. Another post from the 30 days of Preparedness

As stated before, September is National Preparedness Month. The Prepared Bloggers are sharing vital information with all of us. Here is another post from a talented blogger that any Mother, or parent for that matter, could benefit from. I encourage you to read this and think about your current situation.

I lived through a Category 5 Hurricane with 4 children. I can tell you that you are either ready in the moment or you are not....and there is nothing you can really do about it. Your children need calm and comfort during any stressful situation whether it be a natural disaster or man made such as a layoffs, illness or the like.

Best wishes to you as you make your efforts to be prepared. Please read this post and other vital information from PreparednessMama.

5 Things New Moms Can Do to Prepare for Disasters

As an adult you have the right to make choices for yourself. That means you can even bury your head in the sand and pretend that disasters will not affect you personally. Once you become a parent things change. Now you have a little bundle of joy to look out for. All of a sudden those disasters you’ve been ignoring seem real – and more likely to occur.

Let me assure you, the first step to overcoming overwhelm is preparedness. New moms prepare for disasters long before they happen. When the disaster strikes (and it surely will), these 5 tips will help you have confidence with an infant in a disaster.

This post is part of the National Preparedness Month Challenge. Be sure and check out the links below. #30DaysofPrep

Be Aware.

It’s that simple. I know I say this a lot, but you can’t prepare for a disaster if you don’t know what you’re facing. You have got to understand how the chemicals in the industrial park half a mile away will affect your family if there is a fire in the warehouse. You need to know if there are any hazardous materials being transported on the train that passes through town, and you need to know if you live in hurricane, earthquake, or wildfire country. See 9 Steps to Finding Your Local Disasters for a checklist to use.

Make a Plan.

I don’t know about you, but for me planning brings calm into my life. While it may not be possible to plan for every disaster, you sure can get a good jump on it. Winging it is not an emergency plan!

Where will you have your family meet after an emergency? | PreparednessMama

Your plan for surviving a disaster with an infant will include these strategies:

// An emergency kit for everyone in the house. Including the baby (see below)
// A communication plan so you can check in with loved ones during and after a disaster.
// An evacuation plan from your home. Where will you meet if there is a fire? Talk about who will get baby if there’s a fire and include that in your fire escape plan.
// Plans for meeting up with your family if you are separated when the disaster hits. What will you do if the older kids are at school, your husband is at work, you are out shopping and there is an earthquake or tornado? Who gets baby from daycare or who’s coming to help you?
// Share your plans with everyone; helper, spouse, grandparents, daycare and school. Each needs to be in the loop and have a printed copy along with out of state contact information.

Family Communication Plan | PreparednessMama

Find a disaster buddy.

You need someone who can help you evacuate, especially if you have other small children. Look for someone close by that can stay with you for moral and emotional support after a disaster. Neighbor or close by family? It’s great to think hubby will be there, but if he’s at work, that could be difficult for him to do. Form your alliances now!

Make a plan links for Ready.gov and Red Cross

Make a simple emergency kit for your infant.

Dont be afraid to start small. Even this small kit will give you one up in an emergency. The minimum that you decide to pack will depend on your climate and personal preference, but consider these ideas:

// Disposable Diapers – enough for 5 days, just to be safe
// Baby wipes
// 96 ounces of bottled water and powdered formula
// OR ready made formula
// Bottles and nipples
// Extra change of clothing
// Emergency blanket
// Receiving blanket
// Baby carrier so you can be hands free
// Pacifier

If you are breastfeeding, make sure you have enough water to be properly hydrated. You also need to have extra protein in your personal emergency kit. Consider almonds or other good for you protein bars. You will have covered the basic necessities with this minimalist kit – food, water, cleanliness, and warmth. All these items can be stored in your own emergency kit until you are ready to put together a bigger kit.

Remember to rotate this infant kit more frequently than a regular kit. Babies grow fast and the clothing you packed today will be outgrown in a few months.

Infant 72-hour kit | PreparednessMama

Take Baby Steps on the rest.

I’m a big proponent of putting your kits together frugally. The other items listed in the infant 72-hour kit post are good to have and will certainly make surviving a disaster with a baby easier. These should be added as you have the time, energy, and budget. You may want to add them gradually to your own kit or make another one just for baby.

Remember you only have two arms, so plan now for how you will carry baby, your kit and the infant kit. Maybe a roller suitcase is a good fit?

Join the conversation with other moms and don’t miss #Prep4Moms!

Join the conversation #Prep4Moms on September 3, 2015 at 1PM ET | PreparednessMama

September is National Preparedness Month and I’m participating in the #Prep4Moms twitter chat that is scheduled for September 3rd from 1-2pm Eastern Time. It’s sponsored by PHE.gov*. I hope you’ll join us and find some other ways that new moms can prepare for disasters.

The topics we’ll be discussing include:

How can I keep my baby and I safe and healthy during a disaster?
How do I know if something is wrong while pregnant and I need a doctor? What risks increase during a disaster?
How can I plan to feed my baby safely during a disaster? Does breastfeeding make a difference?
How can I best plan to cope with a chronic condition, pregnancy complications or the special needs of my child in a disaster?
Disasters can be particularly stressful for pregnant women and new moms. How can they cope?

Please come and share your ideas to help moms prepare for a disaster with infants. If you find this post after the event is finished, I will post a link to the ideas we discussed here.

*PHE.gov provides information on public health emergency preparedness, response & recovery.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Emergency Preparation For Those Who Are Disabled or Elderly

It isn't something we like to think about or even really plan on, but there comes a time when we have to think outside of our comfort zone. Most of us envision ourselves and our loved ones to essentially be fully functional....all the time. The reality is that there is nothing further from the truth.

Emergency Preparedness for Those Who Are Disabled or Elderly

Some of us either currently have or will be responsible for loved ones who cannot fully care for themselves. This requires support not only from you, but from the community as well. If an Emergency (either natural or man-made), arises, there are many considerations and plans that need to be in place to successfully care for these individuals. In this post, we will examine many of these considerations. As you will see, planning is essential for these individuals who may be compromised and not be in a position to care for themselves.

Ambulation

If an emergency arises, the need to move quickly is often necessary. What if your loved one could not ambulate or required special consideration to move and transport. What if your loved one required equipment to move from one place to another.

Determine, ahead of time, what their ambulation needs are. This includes the vehicle needed to transport them and their devices if needed. Things to consider could include one or more of the following:

Prosthetic devices
Extra wheelchair batteries for a Powered Wheelchair
Collapsible Wheelchair
Walker
Crutches
Canes
Motorized Scooter
Specialized Stroller

Also, be aware of your loved one's endurance and abilities. Can these individuals (who are walking either with or without any type of assistance) negotiate stairs or uneven surfaces (rocks, grass, hills, etc). If your loved one has seen or is seeing a Physical or Occupational Therapist, ask permission to talk with them about recommendations they would make in regard to your loved one's abilities and endurance.

Medication

Chances are that someone with special needs also requires medications as well. This requires not only understanding dosages and schedules, but also having those medications available. Often, but not always, special needs individuals have ongoing medication needs.

It is important to have a current list of these medications. There are apps and websites that can be used to track them. Here is a link to make your own wallet-sized card to carry with you or with the special needs individual. You can enter your information and print out your individual card at Healthcare Ready. I was pleased to see this site state that they do not save or store your information.

When Hurricane Katrina occurred, local pharmacies were really out-of-order. Within 3 weeks reportedly some medical professionals attempted to set up a website for Katrina victims to help provide information about their medication needs etc. because so many of these folks were shipped all around the country. Later an attempt was made to have a national website that allowed for interested individuals to enter their personal medical information. The thinking was that if you were relocated, the medical professionals in your new area could access your information and dispense your needed medications. The name of the Website reportedly was ICERx.org. The letters stand for "In Case of Emergency Rx". From my research, neither this website nor it's accompanying telephone number are functional. I share this with you all in the hopes that those who may have registered will know that it may not be as accessible as you once thought that it might be.

So, what do you do besides skipping a dose? Here is a suggestion that was given to a loved one in my family by his pharmacist. If you receive your medication by mail, order a refill when you have used two-thirds of your medication. This is reportedly allowed. This gives you a small window to access and store medications for emergencies.

Also, there are many apps like "Carezone" that allow you to scan your medications and it keeps a list for you. Since so many of us are so attached to our Smart phones, this may be a very viable option as long as you have power for your phone.

Finally, check with your state to see if there are circumstances that allow for you to get emergency medications. In Florida, for example, they have provisions that allow you to refill your prescription early before a hurricane. Additionally "Pharmacists are permitted to dispense an emergency 72-hour supply if they are unable to quickly get an approval from the doctor for the refill. It’s important to discuss this now with your doctor and pharmacist so that you are prepared for emergencies." You will need your prescription bottle to access this service.

You will have to have your insurance card ready and available for any prescription medication.

Consider scanning your Medication bar codes and keeping them on a USB (key ring or bracelet for your loved one).

Finally, some medications require refrigeration, syringes, etc. Make arrangements for all of these. This cooler can be plugged into the power port in your car. This allows me to keep things cool as we travel, including medications.

Insurance

You will need to have your Insurance information available to access healthcare for you or your loved one. You often can get extra copies of your Health Insurance card on request. This allows the caregivers and the special needs person to have a copy with them particularly if they get separated from each other.

Be knowledgeable about your deductibles, copays, and know what your Insurance plan covers. If you have not met your deductible for the year, you will be responsible for the entire bill until you have met this financial threshold. Also, be aware that you may have different copays for a traditional practitioner versus a specialist. Paying the copay may be difficult if you are counting on digital payment sources in an emergency. Carry cash to make these impromptu payments if your loved one needs to seek medical services in an emergency. Although an emergency room cannot deny services, the bill may be astronomical without your insurance information.

Consider scanning your Insurance cards and including them on a USB (on your key ring or as a bracelet on the special-needs individual.

Oxygen and Medical Devices:

Oxygen is a tricky subject in an emergency. During Y2K, I was an administrator of a large Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF). All SNF's were required to demonstrate that they were ready for midnight on 1/1/2000. This meant I had to have agreements and a 'plan' from every provider we ever worked with. Let me just say there are many. By the time I completed this task I had two 3 inch binders full of these agreements. These service providers provided us with everything from medication, sanitation, food, utilities, etc and Oxygen. Can I just say that this was the biggest Preparedness Project I ever had to do as I had 116 residents and about the same number of employees. We had to be in a position to provide for all of these individuals for 72 hours in case of the worse happening.

Oxygen in this situation was a big concern. We chose to use Oxygen Concentrators versus Oxygen Tanks. These devices transform room air and provide concentrated Oxygen to the patient. They can be large and also small for transport. However, they needed power. We had back-up generators in place should things have gone south, but thankfully they did not.

An Oxygen Concentrator is a viable solution for an individual who is dependent on Oxygen as it does not run out like an Oxygen tank could. However, the Oxygen tank does not require power, but you would need have a large enough supply to last you for an unknown period of time.. If your loved one requires Oxygen, check with your Oxygen provider and discuss options. No matter whether you use traditional tanks of Oxygen or a Concentrator, your need access, storage (there are requirements to safely store Oxygen in tanks), and in the case of a Concentrator....you need power. A generator or solar source will be critical.

Additionally, have a list of style and serial numbers of medical devices your loved one uses. If you have a hard time remembering where you put something in your house at times, consider how much harder this would be when the pressure is on during an emergency. It also helps if you need replacement devices.

Shelter

If you think of Natural Disasters, evacuation may be recommended. Prepare ahead of time to know where you can go in case of emergency. Often city buildings, schools, or even churches are designated as shelters. Contact local authorities (in person, by phone, or on-line) to determine the closest shelter.

If you have to shelter in place, have a plan for heat, food, cooking, medication, hygiene, etc. Hygiene can be very tricky if your sewer system is not operable and you are caring for an individual who is incontinent or vomiting. Consider having some of the following on hand:

Hand Sanitizer
Disposable Gloves: Consider the type of glove you purchase. Some folks are allergic to Latex. Also, consider getting gloves that are powdered on the inside particularly if you will be changing them often and will be in a humid environment.
Chux (disposable pads to place under an individual to catch bodily fluids).
Wipes, and lots of them. I purchase baby wipes by the case from the Big Box store.
Lotions and special creams to protect the skin. Ask you healthcare provider to recommend specifics for you.
Contractor grade garbage bags to dispose of the used items. These bags bags are usually 2.7 or 3.0 ml thick and resist tearing.
Have a supply of Over-The-Counter medications
Have a supply of soaps and shampoos.
Have a system to clean soiled clothing and the detergents to go with it.
Optional: Consider purchasing this personal protective equipment which includes masks, gowns, booties to cover your shoes, caps, and masks.

Diet: If you loved one has a special diet, be knowledgeable in how to prepare their food for them. Store foods that can be made for them and have powerless means to make them. This includes having powerless devices to chop, mix/beat and cook foods as well.

If you have a loved one who has a tube feeding, you either need to have a supply of their formula on hand or be in a position to provide a blendarized diet if your physician clears you for it. For information on home blended tube feeding diets, please see this link.

Finally, if you do have to shelter-in-place, see this list to ensure you are in a position to do so.

Evacuation

There are times that evacuation is necessary. Planning is often needed for special-needs individuals. Can they sit? Do they need to recline? If they have to sit for a long period of time, are there concerns with skin integrity? This means ensuring that they can manage the pressure on their skin (while sitting or lying down for long periods of time because they are secured with a seatbelt) without sores or skin tears. They may require gel pads, specialized car seats etc. Practice getting your loved ones in and out of the vehicle you plan to use in an efficient manner.

What if your loved one lives out of town and is required to evacuate? Elderly parents may easily fall into this category. Check with the local and State agencies to see if they provide services to help evacuate special needs individuals. For example, Florida has a "Special Needs Registry" that can list individuals who require transportation to Shelters or Medical Facilities. This service only works if you have registered well ahead of time.

Power

As noted above, some individuals with Special Needs require devices or treatments that require power. The following suggestions come from New York City (Actually this entire document is excellent and can help you organize your information in case of an emergency):

If you rely on electric medical equipment, contact your medical supply company for information about backup power.
Ask your utility company if you qualify as a lifesustaining equipment customer, and see if you can sign up for priority power restoration.
If you rely on oxygen, talk to your oxygen supplier about emergency replacements.
If you receive treatments such as dialysis or chemotherapy, know your provider’s emergency plan.

No kidding, if you are near a Hospital or Skilled Nursing Facility, you will have your power restored more quickly than if you do not live near such a place. If you do not, notify your power company of your special needs individual so that you power restoration to their home becomes a priority.

You really should consider having an alternate source for power. If you are wondering what you can run on a Generator, please see this post to help you determine your needs. If you do have a Generator, secure it to your home with a hearty chain so that it cannot be stolen. Additionally, consider having a supply of various batteries. In an emergency you quickly be amazed how many little devices require them like Glucose monitors, Pulse oximeters, Hearing Aides, etc.

Legal Documents

If you are responsible for another individual, you will need to have several documents with you in case of an emergency.

Advanced Directives: Each state has their own version of Advanced Directives. This document directs the medical team in the type of care you receive if you are not in a position to verbalize your wishes. If you are caring for another individual, you will need to have these with you particularly if significant medical attention is warranted. You should take a copy of this document with you every time you are admitted into a hospital for a procedure. Here is the link to find the forms that are associated with your state.
Power of Attorney: If you are caring for an individual who cannot make decisions for themselves, you really should have a document entitled a "Power of Attorney". This gives you the right to make medical or financial decisions for the impacted individual. As a SNF Administrator, I was appalled to see families literally fighting over the bed of the health-compromised family member because this step was not taken. I have had to threaten to call the Police if family members who were vigorously fighting did not step out of the room and discuss their concerns in a more appropriate manner. There is really no easy way to get this document in the throws of an emergency. Sometimes you may have to have a Legal Judgement made to give you the Power of Attorney if the individual is not competent to give permission for you to fulfill this role. See an Attorney and make arrangements for this critical document. For the Elderly, an Elder law Attorney is uniquely qualified to help you.

Communication

Have an out-of-town contact person that you communicate with. They can be the point person to let others know how you and your special-needs loved one are doing without taking your time during an emergency.

Consider keeping your landline phone. In an emergency, they usually work. Our family has benefitted repeatedly from this tried and true technology after a natural disaster. This was particularly true after the Category 5 Hurricane, a Flood, and the a Volcanic Eruption that we have lived through. The landline worked when our cell reception was compromised.

Summary:

This post is by no means an exhaustive source of information. However, it is my hope that you will think differently about those you may have stewardship for in the event of an emergency. Careful planning can make the difference for you and the loved one when minutes and seconds count.

If you have additional suggestions, PLEASE SHARE THEM WITH US IN A COMMENT. We all can learn from each other.

September is National Preparedness Month and The Prepared Bloggers are at it again!

It's safe to say that our ultimate goal is to help you have an emergency kit, a family plan, and the knowledge to garden, preserve your harvest and use useful herbs every day – without spending a ton of money to do it. Luckily that’s obtainable for every family and a journey we would love to help you with. This year we have posts about food storage, 72-hour Kits & Bug Out Bags, and every aspect of preparedness, from water storage to cooking off grid. You’ll also find many ideas to help you be more self-reliant. Look for information on the big giveaway we've put together for later in the month. Be sure to visit our sites and learn as much as you can about being prepared. We'll be using the hashtag #30DaysOfPrep for these and many other ideas throughout the month of September, so join in the conversation and make 2015 the year you become prepared.