Official Site of The State of New Jersey

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Individuals with disabilities or access and functional needs may find themselves particularly vulnerable when disasters or other emergencies occur. New Jersey, the federal government, and other organizations have created specific programs to address the needs of individuals with access and functional needs when disasters or emergencies occur. 

This page contains resources on how to prepare for a disaster or emergency as a person with a disability or access and functional needs. Below, you can also find a disaster preparedness checklist to help ensure that you are ready when a disaster or emergency occurs. 

 

Get Help Now 

• For information on developing individualized disaster preparedness plans, contact your county Office of Emergency Management Coordinator using the contact information found on this website. 
• For more information about how to register with Register Ready, a resource that alerts emergency managers and first responders to your disability-specific needs, call 211 or visit the Register Ready website.  

 

Register Ready 

Register Ready is a confidential and secure database designed to help emergency managers and first responders plan for and support people who have disabilities and access and functional needs (DAFN) who may need assistance in the event of a disaster. Permanent and seasonal New Jersey residents with DAFN as well as individuals with a temporary disability are encouraged to register. 

Individuals can register at no cost at Register Ready or by calling 211. 

The Register Ready brochure is available in nine different languages and can be accessed here. 

 

State Resources

• NJ Special Needs Registry: Through the Special Needs Registry, OEM allows residents with disabilities or access and functional needs and their families, friends, caregivers and associates the opportunity to provide information to emergency response agencies so that emergency reponders can better prepare to serve them in the case of a disaster or other emergency. www.registerready.nj.gov(Call 211 for registration or help)
• New Jersey Office of Emergency Management https://www.nj.gov/njoem/
• County Emergency Management Coordinators & Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Liaisons: ready.nj.gov/about-us/county-coordinators.shtml
• New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness
  www.njhomelandsecurity.gov

 

Federal Resources

• US Department of Homeland Security ready.gov or www.Listo.gov (Spanish) 1-800-BE-Ready
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA and the American Red Cross also offer the Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities resource guide to assist in developing a plan for disasters or emergencies
  1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362)
  www.fema.gov

 

Local Resources

• American Red Cross www.redcross.org
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health

 

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The following list is intended to provide suggestions for disaster preparedness planning that may be taken by individuals with disabilities.

 

Self-Networks

• Discuss your disability and needs with relatives and friends.
• Develop a network of people who know your needs and location, who will be able to assist you or alert emergency personnel on your behalf. Do not depend on only one person.

 

Medical Equipment and Supplies

• Evaluate equipment for repairs and obtain and keep spare parts.
• Order the full allotment of supplies that your insurance allows, such as protective briefs, leg bags, suction tubing, hearing aid batteries, etc. Stockpile unused items.
• Assemble a first aid kit. It should include: absorbent compress dressings, sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, adhesive cloth tape, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, aspirin, emergency blanket, breathing barrier (with one-way valve), cold compress, latex gloves (2 pairs), hydrocortisone ointment packets, roller bandages, sterile gauze pads, oral thermometer, triangular bandages, tweezers, and an emergency first aid guide.
• Service animals always should wear an identification tag with all necessary contact information. Keep your pet’s and service animal’s medical records current, including vaccination records and rabies tag number. Your animal will need at least three days’ worth of food and water, kept in sturdy storage The amount of water your pet will need may vary. For example, dogs need at least 1oz of water for each pound of body weight. Be sure to figure out how much food and water you will need for 3 days.
• Create a Go Bag for your Service Animal with food, water, blanket, waste bags, animal’s working gear, medications, medical records, veterinarian, and ownership agency contact information.
• Visit the NJDA Animal Emergency Website for more information on animal emergency preparedness.

 

Power

• Extended power outages may affect ventilators, heating and/or cooling units, which may be a matter of life or death for some people with disabilities. Contact your utility provider if you require power to support your special need or circumstance.
• Familiarize yourself with emergency plans where you live, work, and in your community.
• Consider staying at a hotel or with friends or family out of your area if you anticipate possible power outages, especially if you have medical equipment that is dependent upon power.
• If you use a ventilator or have other complex needs that you cannot manage on your own, you may consider contacting a care facility for temporary assistance.
• Contact your local Emergency Management Coordinator or call 211 for information on what people with disabilities should do during power outages.
• Keep clear pathways in your home to allow for safer mobility if lighting is affected.

 

Oxygen

• Buildings where oxygen is kept must display an “Oxygen in Use” emblem.
• Oxygen must be kept in containers specifically manufactured for that purpose.
• Alert emergency response staff to the use of oxygen.
• Consider having a backup power source for your oxygen concentrator.
• Oxygen is flammable, so avoid sparks and Demand that people not smoke near an oxygen container.

 

Miscellaneous

• Keep battery-operated flashlights and/or lanterns with lots of extra batteries.
• Blankets and warm clothes should be packed in an emergency.
• Keep the gas tank in your car full.
• Have a battery-powered radio and extra batteries on hand.
• Keep ample cash on-hand. ATMs and banks may not function during power outages.
• Have a non-electric can opener.
• Keep a supply of assorted plastic bags.

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The NJ Statewide Independent Living Council and the NJ Department of Human Services offer ongoing training to help New Jersey residents get ready for disasters.  This training is for people with disabilities, their caregivers, and professionals.

To schedule a training session, email EOCESF6@njsp.gov or call 1-609-631-4636.

A printable flyer with all information about the training can be found at this link: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dds/documents/Listserv/2025/Pathways_To_Preparedness_Flyer.pdf

The Statewide Independent Living Council has also developed a comprehensive disaster preparedness  booklet that can be found at this link: https://www.njsilc.org/uploads/1/3/4/1/134166171/njsilc_pathways.pdf