We all have unique needs and abilities and each one of us can take action to get ready to face an emergency or disaster. Persons with access and functional needs include multi-lingual communities, families with infants and children, older adults, persons with disabilities, and persons experiencing homelessness.
It takes people like you who are committed to neighborhoods, churches, schools, and volunteer organizations to build resilient communities. People who are involved are the key to a disaster resilient community. A resilient community is one that can withstand a disaster and get back to normal quickly, even if normal isn’t the same as it was before. Remember, community preparedness starts at home. If you know that your family is prepared at home, you will be better able to help others in your community.
COVID-19
Learn how and where to get tested and vaccinated:
- Visit the County of Santa Clara's COVID-19 website to stay up-to-date with the latest case counts, testing and vaccination sites, Public Health Orders, dashboard, and other important information.
- Helpful information to prepare for a Vaccine Supersite: dcara.org/vaccinesupersite
- Learn about the risk of COVID-19 and how to protect yourself. Visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.
- Visit the County of Santa Clara Public Health website (English, 中文, Español, Tiếng Việt and Tagalog)
- COVID-19 testing sites offer accessible services for people with disabilities and those with other access or functional needs. When you arrive, if you need accommodation, alert the staff on site. Everyone is welcome regardless of immigration status.
- COVID-19 Tips for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (LISTOS California)
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The goals of case investigation and contact tracing are to support individuals who may be positive for COVID-19 to safely stay home and slow the spread of COVID-19 among their family, friends, and community.
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While the Health Officer’s Order is in effect, businesses and public entities still need to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and make accommodations for persons with access and functional needs. Learn more by visiting the Access and Functional Needs FAQs.
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Deciding which type of transportation you should take to a COVID-19 testing site should be easy. Read more on How to Get To a Testing Site for more information.
ISOLATION & QUARANTINE SUPPORT
Santa Clara County COVID-19 Support Team provides resources to County residents who test positive for COVID-19 or are identified as contacts to a positive case to enable them to isolate or quarantine safely. The Isolation and Quarantine Support Services provide community members with the following resources:
- Rental and utility bill assistance
- Grocery that honor dietary requirements
- Medical check-ins
- Cleaning supplies and face coverings [for yourself and any personal care assistant]
- Transportation to and from hospital and doctor’s appointments [including paratransit options]
- Mental health support
- Assistance in multiple languages
- A hotel/motel room with clean linens and laundry service [with options for personal care assistants and service animals to shelter with you]
To learn more about the three main components of the program, please read the County’s Isolation and Quarantine Guidance or call the Isolation & Quarantine Support Program at (408) 808-7770.
Video on Isolation vs Quarantine
PG&E PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF (PSPS)
Severe weather and the threat of wildfires may cause PG&E to turn off electricity for public safety. Here is how you can prepare:
- Update your account information
- Apply for PG&E’s Medical Baseline Program
- Apply for resources from the Disability Disaster Access and Resources – a program of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers.
- Explore additional resources for individuals with access and functional needs.
- Refer to Frequently Asked Questions about Public Safety Power Shutoffs
PREPARED IN 4 STEPS
Emergency preparedness can be done in four simple steps and can be no cost. Start with what you already have at home then build from there. No cost emergency preparedness measures you can take now include placing copies of important documents in a waterproof bag or container, moving heavy or large items from the top shelf down to the bottom shelf or floor in case of an earthquake, and clearing the space surrounding your home of debris in case of wildfire.
Sign up for Alerts
Sign up for AlertSCC, the County of Santa Clara’s official alert and warning system. Alerts can include fire, earthquake, severe weather, crime incident that affects your neighborhood, and instructions during a disaster. Your information is safe, secure, and protected. Opt-out at any time.
Make A Plan
Emergency and disaster planning can be fun! Start by hosting a family trivia night to learn about the types of emergencies and disasters that may occur in your area and what you should do. Map several evacuation routes in case your primary route cannot be traveled and create a communications plan so you can contact each other should you become separated. You may also discuss your family’s unique needs. Every family is different and may require different needs.
Build Emergency Supply Kits
Two must have emergency supply kits are a Go Bag and Stay Kit. Both serve the same function and may contain the same supplies, but each have different purposes. Go Bags should be used when you are required to evacuate. A Stay Kit should be used when you are required to stay home.
Check On Neighbors
When you are prepared, you’re better positioned to help those around you including your friends, family, and neighbors. Talk with your neighbors, especially those who may require additional support during an emergency or disaster. Persons with access and functional needs may have transportation and mobility needs in case they cannot travel by wheelchair. Help them identify allied resources for transportation, food, and shelter needs. Families with infants and children may also require baby formulas and diapers. Prepare these items in advance. These are all things to consider when making your family’s emergency plan.
Video on We Prepare Everyday
- We Prepare Everyday - an accessible video on how to prepare for all hazards
- Personal Emergency Plan for People with Access and Functional Needs - fillable PDF form from CA Health and Human Services Agency
- Preparedness Tips for Individuals with Disabilities (Ready.gov)
- Preparedness Tips for Seniors (Ready.gov)
- ReadySCC from the App Store or Google Play. You can download this free, app to your phone or tablet and create a family disaster preparedness plan in a few steps. ReadySCC also stores emergency contacts and links to resources.
Travel and Evacuation
Power Outages
Emergency Supplies for Your Home and Car
- Bedside Emergency Supplies Checklist
- Emergency Food and Water
- Emergency Supplies Kits
- Home Emergency Supplies Kit Checklist
Grab and Go Emergency Supplies
- Carry on You Emergency Supplies Kit Checklist
- Grab and Go Emergency Supplies Kit Checklist
- Grab and Go Emergency Supplies Kit Checklist Template
- Grab and Go Emergency Supplies Kit with Daily Use Items Checklist
- Car Emergency Supplies Kit Checklist
Tips and checklists provided by:
- Pacific ADA Center, 1-800-949-4232 (Voice/TTY), (510) 285-5600 (Voice/TTY), [email protected]
Quick Reference Guide:
- For emergencies, call 9-1-1.
- For service referrals, call 2-1-1 or visit www.211bayarea.org/santaclara/.
- For older adult resources including caregiving, counseling, food, housing, healthcare, legal services, visit the County of Santa Clara Department of Aging and Adult Services.
- For people of all ages with disabilities, Silicon Valley Independent Living Center provides services to help further independence.
- For people with developmental disabilities and their families, visit San Andreas Regional Center.
- For self-advocacy resources, visit the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Mental Health Services
- For peer support and mental health resources visit National Alliance on Mental Illness, Santa Clara County.
- For therapy, crisis intervention, and other services visit the YWCA Silicon Valley.
Related Links
Santa Clara County Amateur Radio Emergency Services/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (ARES/RACES) Collaborating Agencies’ Disaster Relief Effort (CADRE) Santa Clara County Fire Department Santa Clara County Large Animal Evacuation Team California Office of Emergency Services Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Weather Service United States Geologic Service