National Preparedness Month

How Ready Are You?

September is National Preparedness Month, a time to encourage communities to prepare for natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and human-caused emergencies.

The city of Cambridge has taken many actions to prepare for a range of health emergencies, from hurricanes and chemical spills to a flu pandemic and other disease outbreaks. Residents also have an important role to play in emergency preparedness.

How Cambridge Residents Can Prepare

Have your emergency supplies ready, including food, water, flashlights.
Review your family emergency plan with everyone in your household.
Be prepared for power outages. See power outage safety tips (PDF) from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
Make sure your cell phones are charged. If cell phone lines are jammed after an emergency, you may be able to send text messages.
Read Emergency Preparedness Begins at Home, a brochure from the Cambridge Public Health Department.

Join the Medical Reserve Corps

The Region 4b Medical Reserve Corps, which serves Cambridge and 26 other communities, is currently recruiting new members.

An information session will be held on September 11, 2012 from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street. Anyone interested in learning about or becoming a volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps is encouraged to attend.

MRC volunteers support local health departments in Massachusetts by providing assistance during emergencies and helping promote public health activities throughout the year. Volunteers with a variety of skills are needed. A medical background is not required.

For more information about the Region 4b Medical Reserve Corps, email region4bmrc@challiance.org or call 617-665-3702.

Emergency Planning: People with Disabilities

Some individuals will require more careful planning than others. Rescuers will be very busy during a disaster and may not be able to respond immediately. If you are disabled, some advanced preparation and planning can go a long way in helping you maintain your independence during a disaster or emergency. Here are some tips:

Consider all the services, equipment, and strategies that you use on a daily basis and plan for the possible disruption of these things.
Create a personal support network that includes at least three people from each place (home, school, work) where you regularly spend time.
In addition to a basic emergency supply kit, pack a special "go kit" with items for your particular needs, such as extra eyeglasses; extra batteries for hearing aids or motorized wheelchairs; medications; and portable oxygen. For more information, see FEMA's Individuals with Access & Functional Needs web page.
Develop back-up plans for in-home assistance in case personal assistance services are not available after a disaster.
Notify local utility companies and fire departments if you are dependent upon electricity for life-sustaining equipment.
Work with your local emergency management agency concerning any special transportation needs you might have during evacuations.
Have a copy of your emergency health information including medications, allergies, medical equipment (with serial number), insurance information, and immunization records. Have a list with contact information for your health care provider, durable medical equipment supplier (with alternates), pharmacy, and emergency contacts.
If you receive federal disability benefits, register your bank account in advance at www.GoDirect.org
Put together an emergency kit for your service animal.
Once you have a plan in place, practice it!

More Information

Here are some excellent online resources on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities or others who would require additional assistance in an emergency.

Ready.gov

Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs (PDF)

Disability.gov

Massachusetts Emergency Preparedness Region 4b

Revised on Aug. 31, 2012