When disaster strikes, preparations for evacuations, shelter, and health care should have been made before the first storm hits the shore, before the first tornado touches the ground and before the falling rains cause widespread flooding. Disasters can occur at any time, at any moment and if you or your loved ones are not prepared, you might find yourself in harm's way. It is particularly important that the elderly are well prepared for any kind of natural or man-made disaster. With the looming hurricane season about to begin, Acadian Ambulance says that now might be a good time to look at your disaster plan if you have not already done so.

Acadian first encourages everyone to form a network of support. Jerry Romero, vice president of Operations for Acadian Ambulance says, “If your neighbor is an elderly person and you know that they may need some assistance should a storm descend on your community, look after them. Make sure that they are O.K. and have a place of safety. That might mean inviting them into your own home, making sure they have food, and calling their nearest relatives if they have any.”

Acadian Ambulance has joined the efforts of many organizations that have included care for their elderly as their mission. One such group is Elder Voice. Romero explains, “Elder Voice formed right after Hurricane Katrina and is very interested in helping those older residents who live in the eight parish area that makes up Acadiana. That includes the Crowley community.” Elder Voice has surveyed the eight parishes for the past two years, looking for those elderly who may need assistance with evacuation, shelter and health care in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The surveys can still be located at most Iberia Bank locations or at local Acadian Ambulance locations. Once the surveys are filled out and sent back to Elder Voice, the organization builds a database for local law enforcement and the Office of Emergency Preparedness in those parishes. The database is part of a much larger information source that identifies those elderly individuals or families who need help should a storm pop up on the horizon.

Acadian Ambulance has also become a part of a revitalized program called the Vial of Life Information System. “The program was started in 1978, when 70,000 vials were distributed in the community,” says Romero. The Vial of Life project begins with a small plastic vial that holds emergency contact and medical information. The vials are placed inside the refrigerator door, where Acadian paramedics and other emergency first responders can easily find it. Those who participate in the program place a sticker on their front door or window as a notification to emergency responders. Romero explains, “The revitalization of the program was pushed by Elder Voice, who then became partners with the Cajun Area Agency on Aging and 232-HELP/211. We became involved because in the past the Vial of Life was effective in helping our paramedics to obtain a quick medical history allowing us to treat the patient appropriately and relaying that information to the hospital as we are in route.”

In a disaster, both the survey and the Vial of Life project can make an immediate impact in the lives of our elderly. Acadian Ambulance also joins the American Red Cross and encourages the elderly to look at some of their suggestions also. For example:

In the event of a tornado remember that the lowest floor or below-ground area of your home is safest. If there is no basement or you cannot get there, choose a room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet. Identify where this safe place is and how you would get there.

In the event of a hurricane or flood, listen to what your local emergency officials are asking you to do. If local officials have not told you to leave the area, stay upstairs and in the middle of the building, away from windows. Avoid going to the lowest floor because hurricanes often cause flooding. If you are blind or visually impaired, use a long cane in areas where debris may have fallen or furniture may have shifted. This is recommended even if you do not usually use a cane indoors.

For other emergencies, install at least one smoke detector on each level of your home, outside sleeping areas. If you are deaf or have hearing loss, install a system that has flashing strobe lights to get your attention. If you have battery-operated detectors, replace batteries at least once a year, such as on your birthday, New Year's Day, etc. Test smoke detectors once a month by pushing the test button.

At home, identify as many exits as possible from each room and from the building you are in. Be sure to include the windows as exits. Have someone help you make a floor plan of your home. You may want your neighbors or home health providers to assist you with it. Include your primary escape routes. On the floor plan, mark the rooms where you spend a lot of time. Also, mark where your disaster supplies kit is located. Give a copy of the floor plan to your neighbor and nearest living relatives. This will help them find you and your supplies, if necessary.

Prepare an evacuation plan before a disaster happens. If you have to leave your home you may need someone's help to evacuate safely, especially down stairwells. If you need assistance during an emergency and your personal network of friends, neighbors, or family are not available, find some other helpers and tell them about any of the medical conditions that you might have. Give them instructions on what you need and how they can help you evacuate. It would be great if all of our elderly could advocate for themselves. But that is not always possible. Romero says, “Acadian and the American Red Cross really encourage our older residents to practice how to quickly explain to people the best way to guide or move you and your adaptive equipment, safely and rapidly.” That means, according to the Red Cross guidelines, be ready to give brief, clear, and specific instructions and directions to rescue personnel, either orally or in writing.”

For example, say or write these instructions:

"Please take my-- Oxygen tank.

Wheelchair.

Gamma globulin from the freezer.

Insulin from the refrigerator.

Communication device from under the bed. "

"Please do not straighten my knees. They are fused in a bent position. "

"I have had a brain injury. Please write down all important instructions and information. "

"I am Blind/visually impaired. Please let me grasp your arm firmly. "

"I am Deaf. Please write things down for me. "

When needed, ask for an accommodation from disaster response personnel. For example, let a responder or relief worker know if you cannot wait in lines for long periods for items like water, food, and disaster relief assistance. Practice how to explain clearly and briefly why you need this assistance. You may also want to write the explanation down ahead of time.

It has well been noted that throughout history, in times of disasters, our elderly are the ones most likely to perish or receive life-threatening injuries. In Hurricane Katrina alone, more than 75% of those killed were over the age of 74. While Acadian Ambulance encourages the community to prepare, it is also important that we as a community, a parish and a state take it upon ourselves to care for those around us. “Just being a good neighbor can save a life,” explains Romero. Disasters have many effects. Some are predictable and others are not. You should know what can happen and what your environment may be like after the disaster. At Acadian Ambulance, and along with our many partners, it is our goal to help you and our elderly friends deal with the hardships of a disaster. However, you can help us by first taking a realistic look at what can happen during a disaster and what your needs might be should that time arrive unannounanced.