City of Cleveland - Department of Public Health - Health Information

Emergency Preparedness

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Functional Needs

Children and adults requiring Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS) may have physical, sensory, mental health, and cognitive and/or intellectual disabilities affecting their ability to function independently without assistance. Others that may benefit from FNSS include women in late stages of pregnancy, elders, and people needing bariatric equipment.

Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS) are defined as services that enable individuals to maintain their independence in a general population shelter. FNSS includes:

reasonable modification to policies, practices, and procedures
durable medical equipment (DME)
consumable medical supplies (CMS)
personal assistance services (PAS)
other goods and services as needed

For more information: FEMA Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters

Plan to Maintain Your Independence before an Emergency Strikes

Create a support network to help in an emergency.

Tell these people where you keep your emergency supplies.
Give one member of your support network a key to your house or apartment.

Contact your city or county government's emergency information management office. Many local offices keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be located quickly in a sudden emergency.
Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to help identify your disability.
If you are dependent on dialysis or other life sustaining treatment, know the location and availability of more than one facility.
Show others how to operate your wheelchair.
Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.
Additional Supplies for People with Disabilities:

Prescription medicines, list of medications including dosage, list of any allergies.
Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries.
Extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen.
Keep a list of the style and serial number of medical devices.
Medical insurance and Medicare cards.
List of doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.

View the Americans with Disabilities Instructional Video:

Source: Ready.gov

Additional Resources:

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