Be Alert!
Preparedness tips for people with disabilities
It’s National Preparedness Month! This year, the Department of Health partnered with the Independent Living Council’s (WASILC) Coalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning (CIEP) for some emergency preparedness tips. Each week this month, we’ll provide tips to help those with disabilities, or access & functional needs, protect themselves and their loved ones. This week’s theme is BE ALERT! Check back each week for more about our upcoming themes: BE CONNECTED, BE READY, and BE AWARE.
Be Alert!: Emergency notifications keep you in-the-know and give you time to react when there’s an emergency. Wireless/Email alerts can be lifesaving, and they’re free!
Sign up for local emergency notifications through the Emergency Management Division’s Alert & Warning Notifications page.
Become familiar with the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone and other electronic devices.
Communication with family is vital!
Develop a plan to reconnect with family in case of an emergency. Consider that out-of-state family members might be easier to contact during statewide emergencies.
Use social media or the Red Cross Safe and Well program to let your family know that you are safe.
If telephone networks are congested, try texting instead.
If necessary, contact emergency personnel.
Call or text 9–1–1 only if you have a real emergency. If you are in an area where texting is not available, be prepared to call 9–1–1 through your relay provider.
After a major disaster, you may need to communicate without the use of technology, hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Keep paper and pens handy for writing messages.
Check out and download communication apps for your phone. These can be especially helpful for those requiring translation assistance.
Consider carrying a pre-printed copy of important messages with you, such as:
- “I use American Sign Language (ASL) and need an ASL interpreter.”
- “I do not write or read English, please find someone who can speak [language].
- “If you make announcements, I will need to have them written or signed.”
If possible, use a device that plays signed or captioned emergency videos.
Find out what local TV channels will provide continuous captioned and/or signed news.
Place alarms and other warning devices around your home.
Install smoke alarms that can be both seen and heard. At least one should be battery operated.
Install a NOAA Weather Radio near your bed with a strobe light or bed shaker to alert you of an impending emergency overnight. Check your phone or TV for more details on how to respond.
Want to help? Advocacy saves lives.
Recruit foreign language translators or ASL interpreters to be Red Cross emergency volunteers. Trained bilingual advocates can work directly with community members with limited English proficiency.
Encourage TV stations to broadcast emergency news and information in open caption formats and to provide on-camera interpreters for media briefings during emergencies.
Remind news outlets to post important phone numbers AND speak them slowly for people who cannot see or read a TV screen. Repeat the numbers frequently so they can be written down.
Get information from reliable sources.
When an emergency happens, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Avoid the pitfalls of misinformation and get reliable information from these sources:
Credible newspapers, radio, or television stations.
Social media postings from trusted sources such as . . .
- Your health care provider.
- Your local health department.
- Your local emergency management agency.
- Your preferred community organization.
- FEMA Ready.gov at www.ready.gov.
- Washington State Department of Health at www.doh.wa.gov.
- Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division at www.emd.wa.gov.
That’s it for this week’s tips. Please check back next week for more tips from CIEP!
Guest Author. Written by Jim House, Washington State Independent Living Council
More Information
This blog is accurate as of the date of posting. Information changes rapidly, so check the state’s COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date info at coronavirus.wa.gov. You can also sign up to be notified whenever we post new articles.
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to everyone 12 and older. For more information about the vaccine, visit CovidVaccineWA.org and use the vaccine locator tool to find an appointment. The COVID-19 vaccine is provided at no cost to you.
WA Notify can alert you if you’ve been near another user who tested positive for COVID-19. Add WA Notify to your phone today: WANotify.org
Answers to your questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Washington State may be found at our website. You can also contact the Department of Health call center at 1–800–525–0127 and press # from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday — Sunday and observed state holidays. Language assistance is available.
