Guide for Individuals with Disabilities in an Emergency

Preparation

Individuals with disabilities requiring assistance during an emergency should take the time to develop a personal evacuation plan and should consider the following information when creating this plan:

• Create a plan to shelter-in-place and a plan to get away depending on the type of emergency and your location (academic setting or residence);
• Ensure your contact information and any alternate means of communicating information (e.g., email, phone/text, etc.) are up-to-date;
• Program Stanford's emergency hotline (650-725-5555) into your cell phone;
• Consider arranging a buddy system with a friend or colleague who can alert you of an emergency, knows your schedule, can check with you, and/or assist you as needed;
• Know if emergency evacuation chairs are available in your building and be able to instruct others in how to operate as needed;
• Consider wearing medical alert tags to inform others of pertinent health conditions to be aware of in an emergency;
• Assemble a kit of emergency supplies necessary to self sustain for at least three days (e.g., water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, medication, etc.);
• Label your adaptive equipment with your current contact information;
• Consider your service animal or pet in your planning as needed;
• Show others how to operate your wheelchair or other assistive devices;
• Be able to clearly articulate your needs to emergency personnel and/or others providing volunteer assistance;
• If you require life-sustaining medical treatment (e.g., dialysis, home health care, etc.), identify the availability of a location near campus;
• Identify primary and secondary ways to evacuate campus facilities, including classrooms, labs, work areas, recreational facilities, libraries and residences (noting Areas of Refuge/stairwells);
• Become familiar with the Emergency Assembly Point (EAP) of buildings you frequent and note the accessible path of travel (note alternate pathways as well);
• Communicate your plan with campus emergency coordinators, including your preference for assistance during an evacuation;
• Advocate for yourself; and
• Practice your personal evacuation plan frequently and revise it as necessary.

Response

If an emergency strikes, everyone must take appropriate and deliberate action – dial 911 for emergency assistance. Contact Stanford's emergency hotline (650-725-5555) for the most up-to-date information. If assistance is available, ask for help if you need it. 

Earthquake

• Create a safe space for yourself;
• Do not try to immediately get out of the building as you could sustain injuries from falling debris;
• Move to a safe location such as an interior wall or in a doorway and stay away from windows, unsecured furniture or heavy items that could fall or tip over;
• Lock your wheelchair;
• Cover your head and/or protect yourself as best as possible;
• Do not at attempt to transfer from your wheelchair or bed until shaking has stopped; and
• Once the shaking has stopped, check yourself for injury, look for hazards, and decide if it is safe to evacuate or remain where you are until emergency personnel arrive.

Fire

• If you are on the first floor, evacuate the building on your own or with assistance as needed;
• If on upper floors, proceed to the Area of Refuge or stairwell;
• Inform your supervisor, building manager, or colleague that you will remain in that place of safety and wait for assistance to be evacuated or for emergency personnel to arrive;
• Never open doors that are too hot;
• Request assistance with being carried down in your wheelchair or transfer to an evacuation chair if available; and
• Report to the building's designated Emergency Assembly Point (EAP) and await further instructions.