Persons Requiring Additional Assistance

In addition to a basic Emergency Survival Kit, people should bring additional items they may need when being evacuated:

• Assistive devices: canes, walkers, hearing aids, breathing apparatus, etc.
• Prescription eyewear and footwear
• Extra medications and vitamin supplements
• Copies of prescriptions
• Extra dentures (if required) and cleaner
• Personal papers and identification
• Important names and telephone numbers (family members, doctor, seniors' group contact person, etc.)

Emergency situations and evacuations can be especially difficult for people who require additional assistance. Having a plan and knowing what services are available can help get through an emergency.

This checklist outlines the basic items every person with a service animal should have prepared in advance to keep their service animals comfortable during the stress of an emergency situation. It is advisable to keep all items in a transportable bag that is easy to access should evacuating the home become necessary. Also, remember to check the kit twice a year to ensure freshness of food, water and medication, and to restock any supplies.

Service Animal Emergency Kit Checklist:

• Minimum 3 day supply of bottled water and food for your animal
• Portable water and food bowls
• Paper towels and can opener
• Medications with a list identifying reason (e.g., medical condition), dosage, frequency and contact information of prescribing veterinarian
• Medical records including vaccinations
• Leash and harness (if required)
• Muzzle (if required)
• Blanket and favourite toy
• Plastic bags
• Up to date ID tag with your phone number and the name/phone number of your veterinarian (microchipping is also recommended)
• Current photo of your service animal in case they get lost or separated from you
• Copy of license (if required)

The above information can be found at: www.emergencymanagementontario.ca

• “Ask First” if the person needs or wants your help – do not just assume that they do.
• Allow the person to identify how best to assist them.
• Do not touch the person, their service animal and/or their assistive device/equipment without their permission.
• Follow instructions posted on special needs equipment and/or assistive device during an emergency.
• Avoid attempts to lift, support or assist in moving someone unless you are familiar with safe techniques.
• Never administer any food or liquids to an unconscious or unresponsive person.
• Be aware that some people who have disabilities may request that you use latex-free gloves to reduce spread of infection to them.
• Ask the person who requires assistance if areas of their body have reduced sensation and if they need you to check those areas for injuries after a disaster.

The above information can be found at: www.emergencymanagementontario.ca

Your Emergency Plan:

• Ask your network to practice moving your special needs equipment during your emergency practice plan.
• This will help your network become more comfortable handling or using your special needs equipment during an emergency.
• If you use a wheelchair or scooter, request that an emergency evacuation chair be stored near a stairwell on the same floor that you work or live on, so that your network can readily use it to help you safely evacuate the building.
• In your instruction list for your network, identify areas of your body that have reduced sensation so these areas can be checked for injuries after an emergency, if you cannot check them yourself.
• Check with your local municipal office to find out if emergency evacuation shelters in your area are wheelchair accessible.

Assisting a Person with Mobility Challenges:

• Use latex- free gloves when providing personal care whenever possible. (People with spinal cord injury have a greater risk of developing an infectious disease during an emergency. Gloves help control secondary medical conditions that can easily arise if personal care is disrupted during an emergency.)
• Ensure that the person’s wheelchair goes with the person.
• Do not push or pull a person’s wheelchair without their permission.

The above information can be found at: www.emergencymanagementontario.ca

Your Emergency Plan:

• Have a long cane available to readily manoeuvre around debris on the floor or furniture that may have shifted after an emergency.
• Mark all emergency supplies in advance with fluorescent tape, large print or in braille. 
• Mark gas, water and electric shutoff valves in advance with fluorescent tape, large print or in braille.
• Familiarize yourself in advance with all escape routes and locations of emergency doors/exits on each floor of any building where you work, live and/or visit.

 Assisting a Person with Vision Loss:

• Always ask first if you can be of any assistance to them.
• For people who are deaf and/or blind, use your finger to draw an “X” on their back to let them know you are there to help during an emergency.
• To communicate with a deaf and/or blind person, try tracing letters with your finger on the palm of their hand.
• To guide the person, offer them your arm instead of taking theirs and walk at their pace. Keep half a step ahead of them.
• If the person has a service dog, ask them where you should walk to avoid distracting the animal.
• Provide advance warning of upcoming stairs, curbs, major obstacles, or changes in direction.
• Watch for overhangs or protrusions the person could walk into.
• Do not assume the person cannot see you, or that they need your help. Never grab or touch a person with vision loss.
• Do not touch, make eye contact or distract the person’s service dog as this can seriously endanger the owner. Do not shout at a person with vision loss. Speak clearly and provide specific and precise directions.
• Avoid the term “over there”. Instead, describe locating positions such as, “to your right / left / straight ahead / behind you”, or by relaying clock face positions. (For example: 12 o’clock)

The above information can be found at: www.emergencymanagementontario.ca

A person can be deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. The distinction between these terms is based on the individual’s language and means of communicating rather than the degree of hearing loss. In an emergency, the method in which emergency warnings are issued becomes critical to how a person with hearing loss is able to respond and follow instructions to safety.

Your Emergency Plan:

• If your network is unavailable during an emergency, seek the assistance of others to whom you can communicate your hearing loss by spoken language, moving your lips without making a sound, pointing to your ear, using a gesture, or if applicable, pointing to your hearing aid.
• Keep a pencil and paper handy for written communication.
• Obtain a pager that is connected to an emergency paging system at your workplace and/or the building that you live in.
• Install a smoke-detection system that includes smoke alarms and accessory flashing strobe lights or vibrators to gain your attention if the alarms sound.
• Test smoke alarms on a monthly basis by pushing the test button.
• Replace batteries in battery operated smoke alarms every six months and whenever the low-battery warning sounds.
• Keep a laminated card on your person and in your survival kit that identifies you as deaf or hard of hearing and explains how to communicate with you.

Assisting a Person with Hearing Loss:

• Get the person’s attention via a visual cue or a gentle touch on their arm before speaking to them.
• Face the person and make eye contact when speaking to them as they may rely on speech reading.
• Communicate in close proximity.
• Speak clearly and naturally.
• Use gestures to help explain the meaning of what you are trying to communicate to the person. Write a message if there is time and keep a pencil and paper handy.
• Avoid approaching the person from behind.
• Refrain from shouting or speaking unnaturally slowly.
• Do not make loud noises as hearing aids amplify sounds and can create a physical shock to the user.

Note: Typically people who are deafened or hard of hearing will need information presented in a text format.

The above information can be found at: www.emergencymanagementontario.ca

Your Emergency Plan:

• Prepare an easy to understand list of instructions or information for yourself that you think you may need in an emergency.
• Keep an emergency contact list on your person of key people that are aware of your special needs.
• Inform your designated support network of where you store your medication.
• Keep a pencil and paper or portable electronic recording device handy to write down or record any new instructions provided to you in an emergency.
• Consider owning and wearing a MedicAlert® bracelet or identification because it will help notify emergency responders about your non-visible disabilities. For more information visit: www.medicalert.ca.
• Request a panic push-button to be installed in the building you work and/or live in, so that in the event of an emergency you can notify others of your whereabouts and that you need special assistance.
• People with Multiple Sclerosis: Symptoms are often made worse by heat and humidity. Be prepared to keep cool and dry.
• People with Diabetes: Keep frozen water bottles or ice packs in your freezer. Have an insulated bag or cooled thermos ready to store your insulin, should there be a power outage or you need to evacuate.

Assisting Others:

• Allow the person to describe what help they need from you.
• Find effective means of communication (e.g., provide drawn or written instructions. When giving directions use landmarks instead of terms “go left” or ”turn right”).
• Be patient, flexible and maintain eye contact when speaking to the person.
• Repeat instructions (if needed).
• Ask the person about their medication and if they need any help taking it. (Never offer medicines not prescribed by their physician.)
• Keep people with multiple sclerosis cool and dry to avoid making their symptoms worse.
• Avoid shouting or speaking quickly. Instead, speak clearly but not so slowly as to offend the person.
• Do not restrain a person having a convulsion. Instead, roll them on their side to keep their airway clear and place something soft (e.g., your jacket) under their head to protect it from injury. Once the convulsion passes and they become conscious, help them into a resting position unique to your special needs.

For Example: People with Diabetes

• Extra supply of insulin or oral agent.
• Extra supply of syringes, needles and insulin pens (if used).
• Small container for storing used syringes/needles (if applicable).
• Blood glucose testing kit, spare batteries and record book.
• Supply of blood glucose and urine ketone testing strips.
• Fast-acting insulin for high blood glucose (if applicable).
• Fast-acting sugar for low blood glucose.
• Extra food to cover delayed meals.
• Ice packs and thermal bag to store insulin (if applicable).

The above information can be found at: www.emergencymanagementontario.ca

Since an emergency situation or an evacuation can be a frightening and confusing time, it is important that seniors, especially those who require assistance, know the steps to take in an emergency. 

Your Emergency Plan:

• Create an emergency contact list with names and telephone numbers of your physicians, case worker, contact for your seniors group, neighbours, building superintendent, etc. Keep a copy of this list in your survival kit and on your person.
• Write down the names and phone numbers of on-site doctors, nurses, social workers, etc., at your place of residence (if applicable), including the hours they keep.
• Familiarize yourself with all escape routes and location of emergency doors/exits in your home.
• Know the location of emergency buttons. (Many seniors’ buildings have emergency buttons located in bedrooms and washrooms that have a direct link to 911 or the building’s superintendent.)
• If asked to evacuate, bring with you any equipment or assistive devices you may need immediately.
• Always wear your MedicAlert® identification.

Assisting Seniors:

Check on neighbours who are seniors (especially those who require assistance) to find out if they need your help during an emergency or evacuation. Allow the person to describe what help they need and how it can be provided to them. Be patient, listen actively. If the person appears anxious or agitated, speak calmly and provide assurance that you are there to help. If evacuation is necessary, offer a ride to seniors who do not have access to a vehicle. If time permits, offer to carry the person’s emergency survival kit to your car, along with any equipment or assistive devices they will need. Follow instructions posted on special needs equipment and/or assistive devices during an emergency.

• Refrain from shouting or speaking unnaturally slowly.
• Avoid being dismissive of the person’s concerns or requests.

The above information can be found at: www.emergencymanagementontario.ca

Residents should make themselves aware of:

• Building superintendent’s name and phone number.
• Who sits on the Building Safety Committee.
• Who the floor monitors are.
• Who conducts evacuation drills and how often.
• Location of fire extinguishers, automated external defibrillator units, and oxygen tank.
• Location of emergency evacuation device(s).

Your Emergency Plan:

• Advise your building manager/superintendent of your special needs and/or requirements during an emergency.
• Familiarize yourself with your building’s evacuation plan.
• Know where all escape routes and location of emergency doors/exits are on each floor.
• Know the location of emergency buttons in the building and exits that are wheelchair-accessible (if applicable).
• Request that an emergency evacuation chair be installed on the floor you live or work on, preferably close to the stairwell (if applicable).
• If you live in a high rise building, create a ‘buddy’ system with your neighbours and regularly practice your emergency response plan with them.
• If you rely on any life sustaining equipment/ apparatus, develop an emergency backup plan that will ensure the equipment/ apparatus is operable in the event of a power outage.
• Obtain large printed signs from the building manager that you can place in your window in the event of an emergency, indicating that you need assistance.

Assisting Others:

• Check on neighbours and/or co-workers who require additional assistance to find out if they need your help during an emergency or evacuation.
• Listen actively to what the individual is saying.
• During an emergency evacuation (if time permits), offer to carry the person’s emergency survival kit for them along with any special equipment or assistive devices they will need.
• In general, avoid attempts to lift, support or assist in moving a person down the stairs, unless you are familiar with safe techniques.

Your Emergency Plan:

• Before travelling, visit the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website at www.voyage.gc.ca where you can register and find other helpful travel information safety tips.
• Discuss your particular accommodation needs with your travel agent.
• Discuss your trip with your doctor to prepare contingency plans in case of illness.
• Obtain necessary travel medical insurance.
• Carry a copy of the booklet Bon Voyage, But..., that contains contact information for your destination's Canadian office and Emergency Operations Centre. You can order it free of charge at www.voyage.gc.ca.
• Divide your medications and medical supplies between your carry-on and check-in baggage, keeping them in their original labelled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions with you.
• Always wear your MedicAlert® bracelet.
• Inform your travel companion(s) on how to assist you in an emergency.
• If travelling alone, establish a network (e.g., hotel staff) that can assist you during an emergency.
• If you have difficulty using stairs request a room on a lower floor.
• Review the hotel emergency exit plan.
• If needing to evacuate, bring your emergency “Ready-Go-Bag” and any assistive devices you may need.

Assisting Others:

• Check on fellow travellers with visible disabilities or special needs to find out if they need your help during an emergency or evacuation.
• Listen actively to what the individual is saying and how they might need your help.
• If they speak in a foreign language that you do not understand, try to communicate using gestures.
• During an emergency evacuation (if time permits), offer to carry the person’s emergency survival kit for them along with any special equipment or assistive devices they will need.
• Do not let the person be separated from their wheelchair or mobility aids

Canadian Diabetes Association