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Communication:
This category includes people who have limited or no ability to speak, see, hear or understand. During an emergency, people with communication needs may not be able to hear announcements, see signs, understand messages or verbalize their concerns. |
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Medical:
People in this group require assistance in managing activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, grooming, transferring and going to the toilet. It includes managing chronic, terminal or contagious health conditions (such as ongoing treatment and administration of medications, IV therapy, catheters, tube feeding, dialysis, oxygen, operating life sustaining equipment...) During an emergency, people may be separated from family and friends. Early identification of these needs and intervention can avoid deterioration of health. |
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Independence:
This includes people who can function independently if they have their assistive devices and/or equipment. Items consist of mobility aids (such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches); communication aids; medical equipment, (such as catheters, oxygen, syringes, medications); and service animals. Individuals may become separated from their assistive equipment and/or animals in an emergency. Those at risk whose needs are recognized and restored early can maintain their independence and manage in mass shelters. Effectively meeting their functional needs prevents secondary complications. |
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Supervision:
People with supervision needs may include those who have psychiatric conditions (such as dementia, Alzheimer, Schizophrenia, depression or severe mental illness); addiction problems; brain injury or become anxious due to transfer trauma. During an emergency, some people with mental illness may be able to function well while others require a more protected and supervised setting. |
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Transportation:
Emergency response requires mobility and this category includes people who are unable to drive because of disability, age, temporary injury, poverty, addiction, legal restriction or have no access to a vehicle. Wheelchair accessible transportation may be necessary. Pre-planning evacuation needs help prevent chaos during an emergency and many people can function independently once evacuated to safety. |
