Any area in the U.S. could be affected by a disaster or emergency. Besides natural disasters, we also need to be concerned about pandemics, terrorist hazards, blackouts, and chemical/radiation incidents. With current concerns about Ebola and severe winter weather just around the corner, it is a good time to prepare for emergencies. Being prepared helps reduce our risks, especially when seconds count. Different plans are needed for different situations. Some groups, like older or disabled adults, need specialized plans. GA Foods has supported FEMA's response efforts in many natural disasters. We understand the importance of being prepared, so we have compiled a list of 5 great resources that will help you with emergency essentials.
1. The Ready Campaign
www.ready.gov
This website focuses on the protective measures to take before, during, and after an emergency. There is also a Spanish version, www.listo.gov. The site targets three areas of emergency preparedness:
- Build an emergency kit
- Make a family emergency plan
- Be informed about the different types of emergencies
In 2014, their campaign has focused on "Family Connection" to help parents include their children in emergency preparedness. There is a section for kids that has games, tools for parents, and resources for teachers.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC has a great portal of information focused on emergency preparedness for older adults. There is a comprehensive downloadable guide that includes legal regulations that may apply to older adults. The guide includes best practices from different states and communities. The site also includes practical information for older adults and their caregivers, including emergency supplies to have available. Some of the topics are preparedness for people with pets and how to protect older adults from fraud and scams. There are also several training resources for agencies to use in training their staff and volunteers.
3. American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/prepare
The American Red Cross has created an online library with fact sheets, checklists and recovering guides for multiple types of emergencies, including house fires, heat waves, and water safety. Many resources are available in other languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and Korean. There is information on preparing your home, school, and workplace for disasters. Be sure to check-out their Disney interactive book about Disaster Preparedness for children. It is available in English and Spanish.
4. AARP
AARP has partnered with FEMA on disaster preparedness, response and recovery for older Americans. They have practical tips for older adults preparing for a disaster as well as for caregivers.
5. Diversity Preparedness
http://www.diversitypreparedness.org
This site is a comprehensive resource center for preparing culturally diverse communities and other at-risk populations. The goal of the site is to provide planners, responders and other professionals with critical resources for preparing the whole community. The website also includes resources for the public. You can browse for resources by types of communities or emergencies. You can also search for resources by language.
For Case Managers
Using the information from these resources, we have compiled a checklist to guide your members through preparing for a disaster. We also have a place for them to record pertinent information that they may need during an emergency. Keep in mind, our shelf-stable meals are perfect for emergency kits. You can authorize shelf-stable meals for your members by calling 1-866-575-2772.
We have also developed a guide to help you prepare your members for emergencies. Download the free guide below.
