Disaster Planning Resources for the Elderly

The Santa Rosa Fire Department primarily makes personal contact with our senior citizens by utilizing the NFPA’s “Remembering When” program and also by going to senior facilities to discuss emergency evacuation planning and preparation. While the Remembering When program/curriculum does not necessarily touch on Disaster Planning, we do discuss ways that the seniors can be more prepared for an emergency or disaster as part of our presentation.  The NFPA program is nostalgia based and we give safety prizes (flashlights, pill organizers, first aid kits, nightlights etc.) as part of a trivia game that reinforces the messages of preparedness as well.  While presenting the program we stress the need for each senior to be personally responsible for their own safety and well-being by knowing what they need to do if there is a fire or other type of emergency.  We bring props and handouts that expose them to the variety of products in the market and also get’s them thinking about what they can do personally.  One handout we give them is called “Tips for the Elderly” that is put out by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and gives them a checklist of what to do before and after a disaster.  We also give them a handout that tells them how to store emergency supplies e.g. fire extinguisher, first aid kit, wrench, flashlight and extra batteries, water and disinfectant, radio and extra batteries, dry or canned food, alternate cooking source and blankets, clothing and shoes.  The City also has an emergency preparedness program called COPE, which stands for Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies.  The COPE program started in one of our larger senior communities (Oakmont) and has successfully been introduced to thousands of people and many neighborhoods.  Although the Fire Department does not run the program, we work closely with the program and have provided assistance by providing our county-wide shared Safety House that simulates a variety of emergencies, including an Earthquake.  This also gives us the opportunity to discuss emergency procedures and resources.  We also have contacts with senior advocates and non-profits that call us when they receive information about a senior that needs a smoke detector or other non-emergency contact by the department.