Emergency Preparedness
Disasters, emergencies, and other threats can take many forms. According to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the three main categories of threats and hazards are:
- Natural hazards, which result from acts of nature
- Human-caused incidents, which result from the intentional actions of an adversary
- Technological hazards, which result from accidents or the failures of systems and structures1
People in rural areas may have more exposure to certain types of hazards, and they may have fewer community resources for addressing these situations. In addition, people with disabilities can have special needs that require additional planning and/or resources to mitigate the potential effects of disasters and other threats.
The following resources can provide guidance for those preparing for or recovering from a variety of emergency situations.
Inclusive Emergency Preparedness materials from Indiana PREPared and Purdue Extension
- PowerPoint lesson
- Handouts and checklists
- Farm Emergency Plan site
EDEN: the Extension Disaster Education Network
The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) is a collaborative multi-state effort by Cooperative Extension Services across the country to improve the delivery of services to citizens affected by disasters.
FEMA: the Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters.
Preparedness Resources Specifically for People with Disabilities
- ADA.gov: Emergency Planning
- American Red Cross: Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities
- CDC: Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
- Ready.gov: People with Disabilities
Preparedness Resources Specifically for People in Rural Areas
- National Rural Health Association: Rural Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program with links to emergency organizations in each state
- Rural Information Hub: Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response, including the Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response Toolkit