Press Releases
5/11/2009 | OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES URGED TO BE BETTER PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES
HARRISBURG — Older adults and individuals with disabilities can be better prepared for emergencies with the help of new resources offered by Pennsylvania's ReadyPA campaign, the Department of Health announced today.
"The ReadyPA campaign encourages all Pennsylvanians to be informed, be prepared and be involved," said state Health Secretary Everette James. "Because older adults and people with disabilities may have unique needs, we want to help them understand what special preparations they may need to take in order to remain safe during an emergency."
The new materials explain the importance of creating a personal support network, creating an emergency health information card and accounting for special dietary and medical needs when assembling an emergency "go" kit.
"While all Pennsylvanians should include essential supplies like water and food in their go kits, individuals with special needs should take extra steps to ensure those needs will be met during an emergency," James added.
More information is available by calling 1-888-9-READYPA (1-888-973-2397) or by visiting ReadyPA's Web site at www.readypa.org. The site provides detailed information on emergency plans and emergency go kits for all Pennsylvanians and also offers downloadable emergency preparedness brochures and family emergency plan templates.
Launched last fall, the ReadyPA campaign reminds all Pennsylvanians to take action to be prepared for emergencies. The campaign is supported by the state Department of Health, Pennsylvania Citizen Corps, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and volunteer organizations.