Most of us are familiar with emergencies that can cause emergency evacuation. The Eaton Fire caused the ultimate in evacuations - a true emergency with little or no official notification for many local residents. For those of us who did not have to evacuate, we prepared in case we would need to, helped others who had to evacuate, and/or housed friends or family who had to evacuate.

At a recent presentation, Sara Goldman, City of Pasadena Accessibility Coordinator, shared practical strategies on how to build your team, tailor your plans, and know your rights.

The biggest “aha” for me was the designation of who might need to evacuate earlier and with extra support. I think we all imagine residents needing extra help as those with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Sara’s definition included - new parents, families with many children, special equipment, lots of pets, mild mobility issues, breathing issues, and seniors who may need extra processing and or evacuation times.

As older adults we may need to evacuate when the first alerts occur or when the evacuation warning is issued. Waiting until the evacuation order actually comes may not leave enough time and energy to evacuate safely.

Building a team for support during emergencies and/or evacuation is crucial. Thinking about the various scenarios that may occur and having plans and resources may actually save your life.

If you cannot leave in a car, how will you get out?

Who can you call?

What services?

Which individuals?

During a real emergency situation, first responders may not be available to help you.

So, it is important that you have plans in place to be able to help yourself, supported by your team, especially if you need extra help.

Can you drive out?
Do you know several different evacuation routes?
If you can’t drive, how will you evacuate?
Is there a neighbor you can call?
Some family members who live nearby?
Are you able to use your electric garage door opener and/or electric gate when there is no power?
Can you walk out?
Do you know several different walking evacuation routes?
Do you have emergency contact phone numbers in your phone already?
Are they also on a printed list in case you don’t have your phone or it is not working?

Our Villagers were confronted with real challenges during the Eaton Fire. Sue Kujawa shared, “I was lucky because Linda Stowitts called me before I was even thinking of evacuating to offer me a place to stay at her house. Her phone call prompted me to start thinking more clearly and realize I needed to get out sooner rather than later.” Sue Kujawa had to enlist her neighbor to help open her (electric) garage door. She needed to get her cat’s carrier to be able to take the cat with her. Valerie Jones also had no electricity and did not receive an evacuation notice. Her door blowing open awakened her. She could not get her electric gate open and had to flee on foot. Luckily a neighbor gave her a ride.

Knowing your rights and asking for needed accommodations is important if and when you evacuate. In that situation, you can ask to have information translated, provided in written form, repeated, slowed down. Physical needs may also need to be accommodated. Knowing that you have rights boosts confidence so that you will ask for the accommodations you need.

Sara encouraged us to begin to think proactively about different scenarios so that your team and related information could be assembled. Don’t rely on emergency services to help you; they may be overwhelmed. Depend on your team to support you when first responders may not be able to get to you.

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