Take action
Turn all of your preparedness research into an actionable plan. Take proactive steps to be ready. Get a flu shot. Practice different evacuation routes from the places you typically go. Collect important information such as critical phone numbers, prescription and insurance information in a paper file stored in a watertight container and make sure it’s backed up electronically in a secure place. Participate in campus trainings and exercises and find out about community preparedness activities in your neighborhood.
Be ready. Tell your classmates and colleagues that you are taking all of these steps to be prepared. Encourage them to be a part of Resilient NYU!
Disabilities, Access and Functional Needs
If you require additional assistance in an emergency, be sure to identify your needs ahead of time and communicate them to others. Develop a plan that makes sense for your specific situation. Wear medical alert tags or bracelets and be prepared to tell emergency personnel if you have a disability, use a mobility aide or service animal, whether you have allergies, phobias, or a language barrier. Know the names of all your medications. If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or destroyed. Include appropriate supplies in your go bag and emergency supply kit. If you use assistive technology devices, such as white canes, CCTV, text-to-speech software, keep information about model numbers and where you purchased the equipment. Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working.
For more information about Disabilities, Access and Functional Needs Preparedness, check out Ready.Gov, NYCEM, and American Red Cross resources.
Communications Plan for Classes, Office, Family and Friends
Write down phone numbers and email addresses for the important people in your life. Having this important information written down will help you reconnect with others in case you don’t have your mobile device or computer with you or if the battery runs down. If you have a household member(s) who is Deaf or hard of hearing, or who has a speech disability and uses traditional or video relay service (VRS), include information on how to connect through relay services on a landline phone, mobile device, or computer. Be sure to identify an out-of-town contact as a central point of contact in case local phone lines are not working.
For your classes or work environments, discuss how you will communicate with each other in an emergency. Develop a plan with different options for contacting each other depending upon available technologies. If voice lines are not working, texting may be an option. Online course environments may allow for virtual class meetings, depending on the situation. If you are a leader, be sure to communicate with the people who rely on your leadership.
Emergency Meeting Places
Decide on safe, familiar places where you can go for protection or to reunite. Make sure these locations are accessible for persons with disabilities or access and functional needs. If you have pets or service animals, think about animal-friendly locations. You should identify meeting places that are local as well as out of the area and communicate these locations to everyone who is part of your plan.
