Find out if any neighbours need extra support

 

Find out if any neighbours need extra support in emergencies

Check up on people who might need your help, mindful of privacy concerns people might have, and being aware of examples of how people can help each other:

  • Older people living at home by themselves
  • People with physical or sensory disabilities
  • People with a chronic illness or with a mental illness
  • Single parents with young children
  • Large families with more children than adults
  • People newly arrived to the area, including tourists, refugees or newly arrived immigrants.

In an emergency, adults need to take special care of children. If there are families nearby with more children than adults, allocate another family to give them a hand in the event of an emergency. Get the families together ahead of time to build familiarity and trust. Share copies of your emergency plan so that emergency contact numbers are shared.

Include your neighbour's Emergency Plan in your Emergency Kit.

Examples of ways in which you may be able to assist others prepare:

  • Bill has a sensory disability and needs someone to let him know when weather warnings are issued and cancelled.
  • Joan is unable to lift heavy objects and will need help to raise her furniture when flooding is imminent.
  • If the power is disrupted, Jack will need assistance to prepare meals and to contact his family.
  • Sally is in a wheel chair and will need assistance to secure loose items around her property.

Globally, the proportion of older people is growing faster than any other age group. While we should realise that the older population as a whole is neither helpless nor dependent, during an emergency this group is more vulnerable. Children, disabled people, and those with chronic diseases also share health and safety issues with their elders.

Older people living by themselves might not truly understand the situation because of failing eyesight or hearing, or choose to believe they won't be affected, because they have survived previous events during their lifetime. You can begin a conversation with your older neighbours by asking about local hazards they have experienced, then lead them to think about what additional assistance they might need to prepare for an event, or evacuate if need be. Ask if they need special arrangements to receive warnings.

People with physical or sensory disabilities will require additional help and again you could subtly lead them into a conversation about what they have planned in case of natural disasters. The local SES welcomes information about people with special needs who might require additional help to evacuate or get to a shelter.

Someone who is visually impaired might be extremely reluctant to leave familiar surroundings when the request for evacuation comes from a stranger. A guide dog could become confused or disoriented during a disaster. People who are blind or partially sighted may have to depend on others to lead them, as well as their dog, to safety during a disaster.

 

Disability and Other Access and Functional Needs

Additional Steps

Visually impaired

May be extremely reluctant to leave familiar surroundings when the request for evacuation comes from a stranger. A guide dog could become confused or disoriented in a disaster. People who are blind or partially sighted may have to depend on others to lead them, as well as their dog, to safety during a disaster.

earing impaired

May need to make special arrangements to receive warnings.

Mobility impaired

May need special assistance to get to a shelter.

Single working parent

May need help to plan for disasters and emergencies.

Non-English speaking persons

May need assistance planning for and responding to emergencies. Community and cultural groups may be able to help keep people informed.

People without vehicles

May need to make arrangements for transportation.

People with special dietary needs

Should take special precautions to have an adequate emergency food supply.

People with medical conditions

Should know the location and availability of more than one facility if dependent on a dialysis machine or other life-sustaining equipment or treatment.

People with intellectual disabilities

May need help responding to emergencies and getting to a shelter.

People with dementia

Should be registered with the Queensland Alzheimer's Association to ensure their safe return back home. http://www.alzheimersonline.org/