By DeLoa Sharp

November 2005

The recent natural disasters of hurricanes Katrina and Rita are a wake-up call to people in Utah. Although Utah is unlikely to suffer the effects of a hurricane, the probability of an earthquake, flood, or even a tornado hitting are highly probable.



Know what you will need in a disaster

In the event of a disaster, the needs of seniors may vary from the rest of the population. They should prepare accordingly. Seniors and their family members should have a plan in place so that a coordinated effort can be made to help the senior weather the disaster.

According to Emergency Preparation authorities, the most important preparation a senior can make is to have a network of people who know them and are aware of their needs, habits, and can help with an evacuation if it is needed.

"The number one need for seniors is having somebody who will and can check on them," says Sgt. Brian Law, Davis County Sheriff, County Emergency Services Coordinator. "When the tanker exploded in Fruit Heights, there was an elderly deaf man in a wheelchair in the neighborhood. When we went around notifying neighbors of the evacuation, he didn't answer and we didn't know he was there."

Thus, in preparing for a disaster, seniors need to ask themselves, "What can I do for myself, and what do I need help with?"



Have a network of people to help

It is vitally important that they create a support network of family and friends, co-workers and neighbors that will help them in the event of a disaster. Seniors, especially those with mobility issues, need to know which neighbors and/or family members will and can check on them. A list of contact people seniors or neighbors can easily access is helpful, which includes such information as family members, doctors, clergy, etc. This list should also have the medical needs and medications on it and should be kept on the senior's person or be handy for those helping the senior.

"Seniors (who are under home health care) should touch base with their home health care agency and ask them what would happen in an emergency," says Derek Jensen, spokesperson of the Utah Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security. "Ask them what they would do, what could the senior expect from them, and what help would be available."

Besides neighbors and home health care agencies, others in the senior's network could include their Senior Citizen's Center. The centers have plans in place to contact seniors who get Meals on Wheels in the event of a disaster, but seniors need to be familiar with what the centers are prepared to do for them. Also, the local religious congregation may have a plan in place. It will be advantageous for seniors and their families to know what has already been planned and what they can expect from their network of helpers.



Prepare a 72-hour kit

Because disasters such as an earthquake or events such as the tanker disaster come without prior warning, seniors need to have a well-stocked 72-hour kit. In this kit, the first thing seniors need is at least three to five days' supply of medications. A supply of 30 days is even better. Medications need to be rotated every six months, so seniors should mark the calendar to make sure this gets done.

Other supplies for the kit include a first-aid kit, canned food and a can opener, water, clothing, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, etc. Any special needs for the senior should be included.



Pet care

Another concern in a disaster is pets. People don't want to leave their pets behind and, on short notice, generally don't know what to do with their pets. A good accessible pet carrier is vital, especially if seniors end up in a shelter. The only way pets can be taken along in an evacuation is in a carrier.



Know what to do during an earthquake

Another part of preparation for disaster is to know what to do in a particular disaster. Because the probability of an earthquake is very high, what should seniors do during an earthquake?

According to the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM), there are several things that can be done to prepare for this event. Before the earthquake strikes, choose a safe place in every room to wait out the quake. This could be under a sturdy table or desk or against an inside wall where nothing can fall on top of a person.

The OPM recommends that you move only a few steps to a safe place. If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. If you are outside when a quake hits, stay away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Also, drop to the ground.



General disaster preparation

Be aware of where to turn off electrical, water and gas connections. However, if your natural gas service is turned off, do not attempt to turn it back on yourself. Call your gas company to have it restored.

Keep family records in a waterproof and fireproof safe. A safe deposit box at your bank or credit union would be a good place to store important records.

If an evacuation is made, take your 72-hour kit, lock your home, post a note telling others when you left and where you are going, and follow directions to an evacuation site.

Special precautions should be taken with food and water during a disaster. Food may or may not be safe to eat during and after an emergency according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They recommend you throw away any food or water that may come in contact with flood or storm water.

Any perishable foods that have been above 40∞F for more than two hours should be thrown away. Don't use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush teeth, or prepare food.



State and county preparations

There will be a period of chaos after a disaster. Utah State agencies and the various county agencies have plans in place to deal with disasters. The infrastructure is in place for communications. Mobile command posts are available which operate independent of radio sites. These have their own generators and operate from multiple sites.

Another resource government agencies can access is ham radio operators. Amateur radio or ham operators have emergency plans in place. They meet monthly and practice different scenarios on a proactive basis.

Also, city offices, hospitals, and other entities have emergency plans in place and resources available for use during a disaster.



Personal preparation is the key

With all that government and local entities are doing to prepare for a disaster, seniors still are responsible for their own preparation. Preparation is the key to enduring or escaping the chaos following a disaster and leads to peace of mind for seniors and their families.