Preparing For Emergency

The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) brings together senior citizens and people with disabilities, local emergency planners, and first responders to prepare for an emergency. Members of the community learn about the personal steps they can take to prepare for different emergency situations. We provide “Emergency Go Packs” that may be needed in the result of an emergency.

A federal report on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina found that up to half of all deaths were from the disabled and senior citizen populations. This was a result of a failure to adequately plan at the state, local, and individual level. Since 2007, MOD has conducted over 250 personal preparedness meetings throughout the Commonwealth and interacted with over 10,000 people.

During the training, first responders and emergency planners learn about making more accessible community preparedness plans how to interact with people with disabilities in an emergency.

This program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Grants and Training, through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Homeland Security Division.

Information provided by Evan George, the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator of the Massachusetts Office on Disability. He presented an Emergency Preparedness training at Bridgewell earlier this month.

Resources from the Massachusetts Office of Disability:

MOD Emergency Brochure Quick Guide

MOD’s Personal Emergency Preparedness Supplemental Information

MOD’s Personal Emergency Preparedness Workbook