Emergency Preparedness

Disabilities can impact a person in a variety of ways that are both visible and invisible to other people. Emergency Preparedness can look different depending on the needs of a person, including those who have service animals.

FEMA has a short video discussing four tips that need to be considered when preparing for a disaster: Be Informed, Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Get Involved. The video is available with open caption and a certified deaf interpreter – Personal Preparedness: I Use a Wheelchair.

Here is a list of mass notification websites for the DAC NEW service region. DAC NEW staff can assist you in signing up for alerts in your county:

• Watch Duty Wildfire Map
• Air Now – Air Quality
• ALERT Spokane – Spokane County Alerts
• Hyper-Reach – Steven County Alerts
• Emergency Alert Program – Ferry County Alerts
• Nixle – Pend Oreille County Alerts
• AlertSense – Lincoln County Alerts

Here is a list of questions to think about when making a plan:

• How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
• What is my shelter plan?
• What is my evacuation route?
• What is my family/household communication plan?
• Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?

Additional information for building a kit:

• FEMA Online Ordering Site
• Emergency Plan for Commuters (PDF)
• Pet Owners (PDF)
• Safeguard Documents and Valuables (PDF)
• Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (PDF)
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Disaster Checklist (PDF)

Did you know that Washington State has a Coalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning (CIEP)? The CIEP is a statewide, cross-disability, advisory group that works with state and local emergency management and public health stakeholders to build accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities and other marginalized populations into all aspects of emergency management. The focus is to provide technical advice on physical and program access, effective communication, and to help develop working relationships among emergency managers. Are you interested in being involved in CIEP? Participation in CIEP is open to all organizations and individuals. If you would like to become part of CIEP or have questions about the Coalition and its mission, please contact Jim House, Disability Integration Manager. Call: (360) 339-7435‍ or Text: (360) 338-5114‍ or Email: jim.house@dshs.wa.gov