Memphis/Shelby County Emergency Management Agency

Some people cannot be accommodated in regular shelters because of special medical needs. Special Needs Shelters are available for these people. These shelters provide a higher level of medical support than regular public shelters, but they are not for everyone. Consult your physician and the Emergency Management office to see if you qualify for Special Needs Shelter.

Establish a Personal Support Network of individuals who will check with you in an emergency to ensure you are O.K. and to give assistance if needed. Identify a minimum of three people at each location where you regularly spend a significant part of your week: job, home, school, volunteer site, etc. This network can consist of friends, roommates, family members, relatives, personal attendants, co-workers and neighbors.

Make Emergency and Medical Information Lists that can be used to help communicate your needs with your personal network and others. Include:

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what you should do if you do not have enough medicine after a disaster and cannot immediately get what you need. Be sure you ask about the shelf life of your medications and the temperatures at which they should be stored. Determine how often you should replace stored medication. This helps ensure that a medicine’s effectiveness does not weaken because of long storage time.

What to take to a Special Needs Evacuation Center
Special Needs Evacuation Centers are refuges of last resort intended to house people out of harms way; they may be crowded and uncomfortable. There is no guarantee there will be electricity and you will have no privacy. Amenities are limited to basic nursing assistance, first aid care, bathroom facilities, food and water. You should prepare an evacuation kit with items to help make your stay more comfortable.

Service Animals who assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in shelters. Have a care plan for your service animal and assemble a portable Pet Disaster Supplies Kit. Keep essential supplies in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried easily. Your pet disaster supplies kit should include:

Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs (pdf)
Protecting yourself and your family when disaster strikes requires planning ahead. This booklet will help you get started. Discuss these ideas with your family, friends and/or your personal care attendant, or anyone else in your support network and prepare an emergency plan.

American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors
For six months we have researched and discussed disasters and preparedness with the American Red Cross. To avoid getting caught unprepared, we urge you to immediately review the enclosed information and fill in the appropriate local emergency numbers. Be sure to keep this helpful reference tool in a handy place for quick reference.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Special Needs Items
Make sure all your family members are prepared for an emergency!

FEMA Disaster Preparedness For People With Disabilities
Being prepared for emergencies can reduce the fear, panic, and inconvenience that surrounds a disaster.

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