Community Ambulance Offers Advice on Getting Ready for Sandy

This information was provided by the Community Ambulance company. Thanks for sending it in!

With the impending Hurricane Sandy the Community Ambulance Company would like to share some valuable preparedness information for those with special needs, elderly or functional needs.

PLAN IN ADVANCE! Start by making a plan now. This plan should include fueling up your vehicle if you have one and also start by talking to your
support network of friends, neighbors or family to help develop a strategy for you to leave if an evacuation is called. Make arrangements for
transportation pre landfall of the storm if it is needed.

Please only utilize the 911 EMS system if it is an emergency. Responding to calls in hazardous weather is dangerous for first responders and creates difficult challenges due to down power wires and debris.

If you have family or friends that are located north of Sunrise Highway or out of the flood zone consider relocating pre storm. This should be done before Monday morning or pre landfall of the storm.

Plan on prolonged power outages and disruptions. Power outages can pose
serious threats to someone dependent on respiratory devices or other medical
devices.  Create a kit that includes flash lights, batteries, a radio and other equipment that can be found at www.ready.gov. Make prior arrangements with your physician and medical supplier if you require medical devices that
operate on electricity such as oxygen and at least a months worth of medication on hand. Ensure you request additional oxygen tanks, tubing and ask what emergency plan should be followed if you loose electric.

Ensure you have copies of all prescriptions, including a list of each prescription name, dosage, frequency, prescribing doctor and pharmacy used. Some medications may need to be refrigerated; if so, ensure to have a cooler ready with an ice pack or other coolant system in case you have to evacuate
to a shelter.

Individuals who currently have medical aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, toilet seats, etc., should label everything with your name, address and phone number. You may need to evacuate to a facility where many people are using similar medical supplies. The labeling will help identify which items are yours during your stay as well as when you leave.

It is advised that adults and children with special needs and the elderly have identification and important information prepared. Basic identification information can be printed on an armband. More extensive identification should be in a wallet or purse. The following is a list of items to be
included:

- Name, address, phone number and social security number of the bearer

- Names, addresses and phone numbers of family and friends. This should include people to contact in case of an emergency. List at least one person who lives locally and another who lives out of state. Remember, your local
contact may have home damage and downed phone lines, so an out-of-state contact may be easier to reach by phone.

- Medical history.  A list of medications and prescribing instructions

- Extra copies of your prescriptions Names and phone numbers of physicians Health insurance information including addresses, phone numbers, policy numbers, etc.

- A list of models and serial numbers, as well as suppliers, for medical equipment such as pacemakers, feeding pumps, home IV units, suction machines, wheelchairs, Braille or lower vision equipment, etc.

- Name and phone number of your home health care agency. Have the name of aback-up agency that carries any necessary supplies in the event your regular agency is unable to perform its duties.

For more information on emergency preparedness, sheltering and hurricanes visit the Suffolk County Office Of Emergency Management website.

The Community Ambulance Company of Sayville has been providing emergency medical services to the residents of Sayville, West Sayville, Bayport, Bohemia, and Oakdale for the past 61 years. Made up of primarily volunteers, Community Ambulance Company answered over 4,100 calls for assistance in 2011. If you are interested in joining our team and want to help your community, please contact us at 631- 567- 2586. No medical experience is necessary, and all training is provided at no cost. You can also find more information and apply for membership by visiting our website.


Community Ambulance Co.
P.O. Box 450
Sayville, NY 11782
Office:   631-567-2586
Cell:      631-926-9071

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