Don’t leave emergency preparedness to chance. Create multiple ways to contact one another in the case of an emergency. Use the following public and private emergency preparedness information to prepare.
Public Emergency Preparedness
As we recall the 2021 Texas “snowcapolypse,” we might want to refer to the TexasReady.gov emergency kit list and, if we know anyone who might have difficulty in a similar or other emergency, the attached information on the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry or “stear.”
The local emergency management office can be found at State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, by looking first for the region, then for the county and then for the local office. In urban areas there may be several regional offices. Often these are the local fire department.
The local public health entity can be found at Texas Regional Local Health Operations, by looking first for the city or zip code and then for the telephone number.
Responsiveness and resources vary. By team members sharing the registration form for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry and creating multiple ways to contact one another, an elderly person or a person with special needs stands a better chance of being succored in an emergency.
We all know the saying, “Anyone could do it. Everyone thought that someone would. So no one did.” Don’t be no one.
Private Emergency Preparedness
This will vary with the person. At a minimum, family, medical, legal and other contact information should be shared. Ideally, “what ifs” should be discussed, helping people to mentally prepare.
Additional Emergency Preparedness Resource: Texas Emergency Preparedness
Elder law attorney, Terry Garrett, CELA, is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is an Approved Guardianship Attorney. She assists people in elder law, estate and special needs planning, guardianship and settling estates. She graduated with honors from Cornell University. She was on the Dean’s List at Wharton Business School. She earned her J.D. at Columbia Law School, receiving the Parker Award and a Mellon Fellowship.
