Illinois :IEMA Emergency Preparedness Tips for People with Functional and Access Needs

January 4, 2012

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) today kicked off its 2012 Preparedness Campaign by focusing on emergency preparedness for people with functional and access needs. The agency will highlight a different preparedness topic each month throughout 2012 as part of an annual campaign to increase disaster preparedness in Illinois.

“Everyone should take the basic steps to be prepared for emergencies, such as stocking an emergency supply kit and developing a family communications plan,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “For people with disabilities and functional or access needs, there are often additional measures that must be taken to ensure their safety during a disaster.”

Monken said a guidebook entitled, Emergency Preparedness Tips for Those with Functional Needs, is available on the Ready Illinois website (www.Ready.Illinois.gov) to help people with functional or access needs and their caregivers prepare for emergencies.

The booklet addresses the unique preparedness considerations for people with visual, cognitive or mobility impairments; citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing; those who utilize service animals or life support systems; and senior citizens.

For each functional need, the guidebook provides a list of supplemental items for a disaster kit, tips on developing an emergency plan, suggestions on how to be better informed about community emergency planning and a checklist of preparedness activities.

The booklet contains a list of items for a standard disaster kit, a cut-out health information card, contact information for agencies providing services to people with functional and access needs and a copy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross guide, Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs.

Other monthly topics for the IEMA 2012 Preparedness Campaign will focus on preparedness for earthquakes, severe storms, communities, businesses, schools, pets and livestock and winter storms, as well as reporting suspicious activity, outdoor event safety and radiation safety.

Additional information about emergency preparedness is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.