Emergency Planning

People with Special Needs

Not all individuals can easily prepare for and cope with an emergency. These individuals will require help to prepare for and cope with an emergency.

Babies

Babies will still have to be fed, kept warm and have nappies changed during an emergency situation. You will therefore have to ensure that you have the specific supplies that a baby requires ready to hand:

  • Powdered milk
  • Feeding bottles
  • Sterilising equipment (requiring no power)
  • Nappies
  • Hygienic wipes
  • Medications
  • Warm clothing

Older People

Older People may be frail and have complex health and care needs. They may require special dietary needs, sanitary needs and medications. Older People can be prone to feeling the cold more and require to be kept warm.

Thought for all the above should be given and how you would prepare for and cope for an individual with these specialised needs.

If the older person has a carer, you should discuss with them what to do in emergency situations. Alternatively, you should contact Council Social Work for advice.

Help the Aged provide a series of helpful leaflets.

Visually impaired

Visually impaired people may not be able to as readily recognise a hazard produced by an emergency that a sighted person can. Consideration should therefore be given to how to assist a visually impaired person in the event of an emergency.

For further help in how to plan for assisting a visually impaired person in an emergency, contact Council Social Work or Disability Shetland.

Hearing impaired

Hearing impaired people may not be able to as readily recognise a hazard produced by an emergency, that a hearing person can. Consideration should therefore be given to how to assist a hearing impaired person in the event of an emergency.

For further help in how to plan for assisting a hearing impaired person in an emergency, contact Council Social Work or Disability Shetland.

People with disabilities

People with physical and/or learning disabilities or those with mental health problems may require assistance if they have to evacuate from their home. Consideration should therefore be given to how to assist People with Disabilities in the event of an emergency.

For further help in how to plan for assisting People with Disabilities in an emergency, contact the relevant Council Social Work Service (Physical Disabilities or Learning Disabilities or Mental Health Problems) or Disability Shetland.