Disaster Preparedness in Kane County For Those
With Special Needs

If you have special needs, know someone with special needs or are caring for someone with special needs, it is a good idea to think about preparing for emergencies or disasters well in advance. What do we mean by special needs? Do you, someone you know or someone you take care for require special medication? How about oxygen, tube feeding, dialysis, or other life sustaining equipment? Will you need a wheelchair, walker, or a special bed? If you have to evacuate your home, will you need transportation? Think about what your special needs will be should you become involved in a disaster.

Disasters can be tornadoes, floods, chemical accidents, acts of terrorism, or other catastrophes. Here are some of the problems they can cause for you:

• require you or the person you care for to vacate your home or living quarters.
   
• prevent you from obtaining the water, food, and medication you need.
   
• prevent you from obtaining the electrical power you require for dialysis or oxygen.
   
• interfere with other home health care you may require.

You do not need to be in a state of turmoil when disaster strikes. Calmness and confidence can be yours when you properly prepare yourself ahead of time. The following are some things you can do now to ensure that you are better prepared should you need arise:

• Register With Your County Office of Emergency Management
  The Kane County Office of Emergency Management, in partnership with the Kane County Health Department and the Fox River Chapter of the American Red Cross is voluntarily registering people who need assistance in the event of an emergency or disaster.
   
• Pre-identifying those with special needs will help use plan to serve you better during an emergency or disaster.
   
• Make sure you explain your special needs clearly when registering, since dialysis, respirators, etc. may require very special accommodations. If your special need requires that you go to a hospital, consult your physician about the need for a signed letter from him/her authorizing pre-admission. When you arrive at the hospital, staff will contact your physician for admission authorization.
  NOTE: Medicare will only pay for hospitalization claims that are deemed medically necessary and therefore arrangements must be made in advance.

To Obtain a Special Needs Registry Form:

• Call The Kane County Office of Emergency Management at 630-232-5985
   
• Click " Special Needs Registry Form"