Preparedness Buddy

The Preparedness Buddy is a brochure that you can fill out to create a personal emergency plan designed for all people, including those with access and functional needs. Preparedness Buddy provides a step-by-step template to complete an emergency plan using a personal support network or buddy system.

1. Find a preparedness buddy.
2. Complete the Preparedness Buddy personal emergency plan brochure. Keep the original plan in the disaster kit and ask the buddy to keep a photocopy.
3. The preparedness buddy should regularly check in on his/her designated buddy during the emergency event.
4. Review and update emergency plans each year or during peak disaster seasons.

Link to download a Preparedness Buddy Brochure:

Preparedness Buddy Brochure in English

Preparedness Buddy Brochure in Spanish

Preparedness Buddy Brochure in French-Creole

Preparedness Buddy Brochure in Vietnamese

Preparedness Buddy Brochure in Simplified Mandarin

Preparedness Buddy Brochure in Traditional Cantonese

Preparedness Buddy Brochure in Brazilian Portuguese

Travel Buddy

The Travel Buddy is a brochure that for people with access and functional needs and those who travel with them. Travel Buddy provides all of the essentials you should remember when traveling with someone with access and functional needs.

Travel Buddy Brochure | Spanish

Disaster Shelter Brochure

The Disaster Shelter Brochure is a guide that you can fill out to create a personal disaster shelter plan designed for all people, including those with access and functional needs.

Disaster Shelter Brochure | Spanish | Haitian Creole

ASSIST DELAWAREANS WITH ACCESS AND FUNCTIONAL NEEDS TO PREPARE FOR NATURAL DISASTERS

Caregivers, relatives, and advocates of Delawareans who have access and functional needs should help them plan for natural disasters and other emergencies (such as hazardous materials accidents or power outages).

Who are individuals with access and functional needs?

Persons with Access and Functional Needs (AFN) are defined as persons with a variety of visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, emotional, and mental limitations, as well as older people, children, those with limited or no English language proficiency, persons from diverse cultures, individuals who use life-support systems, people who use service animals, and people who are medically or chemically dependent. AFN may have needs in one or more of the following functional areas: maintaining independence, communication, transportation, self-supervision and medical care before, during, and after an incident. AFN cannot always comfortably or safely use some of the standard resources offered in disaster preparedness, response, recovery, or mitigation. AFN includes all children and those with health care needs beyond those of a typically healthy child.

Delawareans who live alone or have special needs should ask someone dependable to serve as their preparedness buddy, and another to be an alternate buddy. The preparedness buddy should regularly check in on their designated buddy to ensure they have enough medication, oxygen, medical supplies, food, and water. (Visit www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/disabilities)

Delawareans should plan for all potential hazards, including extreme cold events, snowstorms, hurricanes, fires, floods, and disease outbreaks. The Division of Public Health (DPH) reminds residents that hazards can occur suddenly and without warning, forcing Delawareans to shelter in place or evacuate.

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