Australia is known for our incredible weather – winters wearing t-shirts and summers by the beach, but what often doesn’t make the postcard photos is the annual period of intense and unpredictable weather events.
Often, we don’t get a lot of warning for flash flooding, storms or fires, which is why we need to be prepared for all kinds of weather events.
So, when you’re writing your new year’s resolutions this month, why not add to write or update your emergency plan to the list.
What is an emergency plan?
An emergency plan looks different for everyone, because it is your individual plan on what you’d do and take if your residence was evacuated, or it became unsafe for you to remain in during a weather event.
For some people, an emergency plan is a written document they display on their fridge, and for others, it is a detailed scenario-based plan.
Each plan will be dependent on where you live and what you need. We recommend sitting with your family, housemates or support staff to create a plan which suits your living circumstances, medical and personal decisions.
In general, a plan should cover you for three to five days of displacement away from your home.
How do I make an emergency plan?
There are lots of ways to create an action plan for natural disasters, but the first step is
sitting down with your support team, family or housemates to talk about possible
scenarios and your individual needs.
If you would like a prompt about what to include in a plan, you can create an emergency action plan online, through the Queensland Government, here. This plan will prompt you to answer four kinds of questions about your individual circumstances, including:
- Possible hazards within your community
- Scenarios and responses within your household
- Recording important contact and medical details
- Household preparation
This plan will cover what you would do in the instance of an emergency. You can also prepare a physical kit within your home for power outages or evacuations. This is often referred to as your personal emergency evacuation plan or kit. Some things to consider including are:
- First aid kit
- Torch
- Candles and matches
- Copies of important or sentimental documents
- Battery powered radio
- Toiletries
- Food and water for five days
- List of emergency contacts
- Anything essential to your health and wellbeing
Knowing the risks
Understanding your risks and the community around you are an important part of guiding
your emergency action plan. Some questions you can ask yourself when making your plan
are:
- Are there any low-lying areas on my property which flood and block my access out?
- Do I live near any roads which flood and could stop me safely leaving home?
- Where is the closest evacuation centre?
- Are there any home improvements I need to do to protect my home – like cleaning
- out gutters, cutting down trees close to the property?
- Where will I put my emergency kit so I can access it quickly?
- Do I have a list of emergency contacts written down?
Things to consider
For people with medical conditions, evacuations can be incredibly stressful and often require more planning and support. As part of your emergency plan, here are some things you need to consider:
- Medications: keep an emergency supply of medications in case you can’t get to the pharmacy, as well as a list of medications, dosages and frequency. If some of your medications need refrigerating, prepare a cooler and have ice packs frozen in the freezer to grab.
- Mobility: if the power is cut, do you have mobility supports which will work without charging or power outlets? If so, are they easy to find in your home? We recommend creating a kit of these items and having them in an easy-to-access but obvious place of your home, so you don’t forget them.
- Access requirements: consider your individual communications, accessibility and sensory requirements when creating an emergency kit. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, consider packing a pen and paper to communicate if you come across someone who doesn’t use sign language. If you have sensory needs, pack comfort items, safe snacks and headphones to use in any crowded or loud spaces like evacuation centres.
Contact Focused Health Care for support
At Focused Health Care, it is part of our mission to support you in every stage of your life – and that doesn’t stop during an emergency. If it’s safe for our team to do so, we can provide services to you in a variety of settings and circumstances.
Our team of nurses can also support you to write an emergency plan which reflects your personal medical needs and support requirements, so, in the event of an evacuation, you have a detailed plan to provide to other support personnel or a team at an evacuation centre.
Contact us today to chat about your emergency planning this year.
*All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Focused Health Care can consult with you to confirm if this service is right for you.
Reference:
Queensland Government, Preparing for disasters, accessed online 15 December 2024 https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/prepare-for-disasters/prep-
