|
CIVIL
DEFENCE -
INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES |
Civil Defence is
Self-Defence
It is:
Being
prepared to help yourself
Knowing what to do next
Disasters
will be different but you can be ready
You can:
Have your
survival kit
Have your survival plan
Know what to do next
What is a Survival Kit?
Civil
Defence pamphlet No.5 (Disasters)
gives a complete description of a standard survival kit. You should add any
special equipment, medicine or prostheses that you use. There should be enough
of everything to last 3 days. Pets come too - remember to include pet food,
medicines, leashes etc. Civil Defence pamphlet
No.8 (Disaster and
your Animals) gives more information.
What is a Survival Plan?
In planning to survival you
should know:
| What the local Civil
Defence warning system is |
| How to escape from
your home if you have to; if your doors are blocked; if your driveway is
blocked |
| There is someone who
will either come to your help or make sure Rescue Teams come (a Neighbourhood
Support Network is a good idea) |
| How to turn off
utilities (gas, electricity, water) at the main |
| How to survive in your
home for up to 3 days if you have to |
| What arrangements your
agency has to help you in an emergency |
If disaster strikes?
What do you do next?
Listen to any radio station. Most information will come from there.
That’s why having a transistor with fresh batteries is so
important.
Depending on the event you
may:
| Be evacuated before it
happens |
| Be warned to stay
indoors |
| Be evacuated after it
happens |
| Wait up to 3 days for
rescue |
| Go to a Welfare Centre
Until reaching the Welfare Centre, radio will be your main source of
information. |
| Be sure to listen
carefully to the instructions and if you can, do everything that you are told.
|
Special hints
People
with hearing impairment may not be well served by radio. You should
make arrangements to be sure you are informed by somebody. People
with sight impairment may have extra difficulties if your home is disrupted –
perhaps in an earthquake - and will have extra difficulties in an unfamiliar
Welfare Centre etc. You too should arrange some form of "buddy"
system. People with asthma and other nervous and respiratory
disorders may be especially affected by stress, dust, volcanic ash etc.
Have plenty of medicines, face masks etc in your survival kits. People with
special food needs, be sure to include as much as you can in your survival kit.
People with mobility aids, insist on bringing your aid if you are evacuated.
Moving to safety is fine, but you won’t want to be helpless when you get there. |
