Office of Special Healthcare Needs

Emergency Preparedness Program

Personal Preparedness Resources

The Office of Special Healthcare Needs Emergency Preparedness Program encourages personal preparedness by recommending individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions and other healthcare needs take proactive steps to prepare before an emergency occurs. Print out and save the following resources for useful tips on how to prepare for an emergency.

Personal Emergency Preparedness Guide: Review information on preparing for hurricanes, floods, power outages, and pandemics. Also Available in:

Public Health Emergencies: What You Can Do To Prepare: Learn how to assemble an emergency kit and how to make a plan to stay in touch with family members in an emergency.

Prepare Yourself: Disaster Readiness Tips for People with Disabilities: National Organization on Disability Emergency Preparedness Initiative reviews tips on preparing for an emergency.

Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Special Needs: Department of Homeland Security provides information on getting a kit, making a plan and being informed. Text Version

Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs: FEMA and the American Red Cross review strategies on planning for an emergency.

Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities: American Red Cross provides tips and checklists to organize information in preparation for a disaster

Disability Law: Know Your Rights: Important resources from the US Department of Justice

Prepare Yourself: Disaster Readiness Tips for Owners of Pets or Service Animals: Includes information on how to prepare service animals for an emergency.

HEALTH Information Line
1-800-942-7434