PRR – Additional Needs – Wildfires
PREPARE
Senior citizens are more likely to die in a fire than younger adults. Being prepared for a fire can decrease the chances of an incident occurring.
Seniors are recommended to form a support network which can include family, neighbors, or friends. This support network can be a good source to check up on seniors in case of an emergency. You can work as a team to prepare for a fire, and make sure someone can check on you during the time of a disaster. Seniors should have an escape plan mapped out of their home, so in case of a fire they can immediately escape. It is also a good idea to know about your community’s evacuation plan. Once the shaking has come to a complete stop, you can evacuate with the rest of your neighborhood. Making a disaster supply kit with enough food, water, and medications to last a few days is important and highly recommended. To go further into detail and the supply kit, there should be enough food and water supplied for at least 3-10 days. A couple of extra, useful items to have in the kit include a first aid kid, flashlights, a radio, batteries, cash and important documents, clothing, tools, and sanitation supplies.
Public shelters/relief organizations like the American Red Cross are open to people if there happens to be a large disaster.
Bethel Wesley United Methodist Activity Center
Lincoln Fundamental School
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/People-at-risk/Older-adults
RESPOND
During the case of a fire the most important thing to do is to keep calm, and act fast. Everyone should drop to the floor and begin crawling. The air closest to the floor is the cleanest air to breathe to avoid breathing in smoke or toxic fumes. Before reaching for doors to open them make sure to feel them first so they are not hot. Find a safe way out of the premises immediately, and make sure to never go back into a burning building. If ones clothes were to catch on fire then drop to the floor and roll around. If one is in a wheelchair and cannot get out of their home then stand by the window as close to the floor as possible and signal for help.
Resources:
https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Disaster_Preparedness_for_Srs-English.revised_7-09.pdf
RECOVER
First thing to do is to make sure you have no injuries such as burns, so that you can prevent further injury or infection. Then you want to make sure your surrounding area is safe before entering or exiting the premises. Be cautious of hot spots that may flare up without any warning. Stay away from power lines that may have fallen during the fire. Clean up the ash and wet the debris to prevent breathing in the dust particles, all while wearing a safety mask. Dispose of an products that are chemically dangerous to a flare up. Ensure that your food and water are safe, and have not been exposed to the heat or smoke, and make sure the water is not contaminated either. Lastly, let your friends and family know you are safe, and as a community you can begin to recover and rebuild if necessary.
Resources:
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/wildfire.html