Natural disasters like floods and wildfires occur frequently, oftentimes without warning. Although there are a number of non-profit organizations and agencies that work together to provide citizens with safety and survival information, the reality is that this information hardly ever makes to the homeless population. This means that when disasters strike major cities, individuals and families living on the streets are by far the most vulnerable. Why? The answer typically has to deal with resources.
Individuals experiencing homelessness have little to no resources when it comes to evacuating, shelter, food, and access to transportation. Nonetheless, communities and individuals can — and should — consider creating an action plan. A plan that allows them to prepare for emergencies, and one that allows them to better help homeless people if and when a major event happens. Although weather-related disasters continue to be a threat, there are ways communities can stay prepared. Here’s how:
Develop a Plan Ahead of Time
When developing an emergency action plan, it’s important to determine the conditions for evacuation, transportation access, and means of communication. These things are important to consider because there is no warning before the event occurs. To make matters worse, when these events occur, they usually happen so fast that residents hardly have enough time to gather their personal belongings. This is especially true for homeless individuals and families. Therefore, planning ahead of time is crucial.
What’s the purpose of emergency evacuation plans?
Emergency evacuation plans are developed to make sure employees, homeowners, and community members (including homeless individuals) are able to leave the comfort of their home or work environment safely, with as little disruption as possible. The evacuation plan must identify how residents should respond to different scenarios and when they should leave the area.
Remember, when developing evacuation plans, it’s important to ask questions like “how will this information reach the homeless population or what are some ways residents can further help?” However volunteers address these questions, just be sure to plan for the worst-case scenario. Don’t forget to include nearby shelters and hospitals. Getting patients the care they need could save their lives if they get injured during an earthquake, flood, hurricane, or tornado.
