58. Handicapped and disabled persons will probably die unless
personal family and friends can care for them and maintain their life-support
systems.
COMMENT: Many persons in these life-situations live alone. A
seemingly minor event (e.g. - a power outage) can be a life and death event for
some. Many respiratory patients are dependant upon “oxygen concentrators”,
which are power by house current and have no battery back-up. Usually a
small bottle of oxygen (about a 45 min reserve) is kept ready for back up.
But many patients may be unable to activate it.
The ARES, possibly working with their local Neighborhood Watch group, fire department, Red Cross Chapter, home health agency, church, or other community outreach group; can, AND SHOULD, develop and include in their EMERGENCY PLAN a provision to know where these persons live, and provide a mechanism to check on them immediately after a power outage.
A telephone call (if the phones are working) may suffice. If not, an actual “welfare check” home visit may be indicated. An ARES net can be used to coordinate these actions working in cooperation with local community leaders. A NCS should not only utilize amateur frequencies; but also include FRS, GMRS, public service, and, yes...even CB!
Who dares to say?: “There never is anything for us to do!”