Proudly Protecting the Communities of Aurora and Newmarket

Each person's needs and abilities are unique, but with careful planning anyone can prepare for an emergency.
​A disaster can occur anytime, anywhere, and without warning. Think about how a disaster might affect your individual needs.

​​Have a Plan 

  • Get ready!Plan to make it on your own for at least seven days. You may not have access to a medical facility, pharmacy, or grocery store.
  • Think about the resources you use daily and what you would do if they were not available.
  • Create your emergency supplies kit.
  • Identify local shelters or consider friends and family outside your immediate area with whom you could stay.
  • If you have a pet, find out if local shelters or family are willing to accept the pet. If not, plan what you would do with the pet if you need to evacuate.

Create a Suppor​t Network

  • Talk to family, friends, and others who may be able to help.
  • Neighbours helping neighbours is important in an emergency. Make sure you know your neighbours. Introduce yourself and let them know any specific needs you may have.
  • Share your emergency plan with everyone in your support network.
  • Make sure everyone knows your evacuation plan and where you will go during a disaster.
  • Practice your plan with those who have agreed to help you.
  • Give an extra key to your home to someone in your support network.

Medications and Medical Su​​pplies 

  • An official approaches some older adultsMake sure medical equipment, such as a cane or wheelchair, is clearly labeled with your name and contact informat
  • ion.
  • .
  • Be sure to include your eyeglasses, hearing aid and batteries, wheelchair batteries, and oxygen in your emergency supplies kit.
  • If you use a battery-powered wheelchair, consider keeping your old un-powered chair for emergency use.

Keep Important Documents Together

  • Include copies of important documents in your emergency supplies kit, such as medical records, wills, deeds, social security number, charge and bank account information, and tax records.
  • Keep this info​​rmation in a place that is secure, yet readily accessible if you need to get it in a hurry.
  • Have copies of your medical insurance and Medicare cards available. Include a list of emergency contact numbers.
  • If you have any disabilities, especially communication issues, be sure to include a list of them in your emergency information.
  • Keep the important documents in a waterproof container.

 

                  For more information, visit the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org/disaster.                       

Developed by NFPA. Funding provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Domestic Preparedness.​