• Make plans that help you and your family to reunite, communicate, take shelter, or even evacuate, should a disaster strike. 
• Assemble and store a kit that ensures you and your family can survive for at least three (3) days on your own. 
• Volunteer with a local organization to help before and after a disaster. 

 

When the power goes out, always report it to Eversource by visiting their website or by calling 1-800-286-2000. Eversource customers can also report a power outage and get updates on that outage through text messaging.  Customers who want to take advantage of this convenient two-way texting option must first register their mobile device either online at Eversource.com, or directly from their mobile phone by texting “REG” to 23129. Once registered, Eversource recommends customers add the outage text number to their contacts for quick access.  Then, when a power outage occurs, text “OUT” to 23129 and “STAT” for updates.

Keep your hydrants clear of snow during the winter months

• 3-foot clearance around the fire hydrant in order to get our personnel to attach the hoses to the hydrant and get the water to our fire engines and the fire suppressed as quickly as possible.

• Make sure hydrant is visible from the street.

• Make sure to brush any snow off the top of hydrants.

Keep your Hydrants Clear during the Summer Months from Vegetation

• Hydrant obstructions cause unnecessary delays for firefighters, slowing their response to a fire.

In emergencies, up-to-date information is life-saving.  But too often, this information is not accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people.

The time to prepare for an emergency is before it happens.  Communication systems must be put in place in advance – before an emergency happens – to make sure deaf and hard of hearing people know about emergencies and how to respond. 

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Resources

• DHHCAN Emergency Preparedness Report

Disability Community Resources

• Saving Lives:  Including People with Disabilities in Emergency Planning – National Council on Disability
• Emergency Preparedness Initiative – National Organization on Disability
• Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities – National Fire Protection Association
• Emergency Management Research and People With Disabilities:  A Resource Guide – National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

Are you Ready?

• Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness – Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Emergency Preparedness – Water Damage Defense
• Emergency Preparedness and You – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Prepare for Emergencies – American Red Cross
• Hurricane Public Services Announcements (some in ASL)

Fire Safety

• Information for Citizens – U.S. Fire Administration
• Fire Prevention – Kids Health
• Deaf Fire Safety – National Fire Protection Association

The State of Connecticut offers a variety of alerting platforms that are optimized for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, these include the following:

Resources for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

During emergency situations, having up-to-date information, optimized for all communities is potentially life-saving. The following resources are designed to assist the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Connecticut prepare for and recover from emergency situations.

Staying Informed

The State of Connecticut offers a variety of alerting platforms that are optimized for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, these include the following:

• CT Alert Notification System: CT Alert is an enrollment based notification system that is used to notify the public of impending emergency situations. The public may enroll in this notification system by clicking here. Those enrolling can opt-in to receive SMS/text alerts to their cellular phones.

• CT Prepares Web Application: The CT Prepares app can be downloaded on both Apple and Android based smartphones. CT Prepares provides information and alerts during emergency situations and incorporates and integrates text messaging, email, and social networking, allowing residents to communicate with family members during an emergency. Users will receive real-time text based notifications including emergency news, state office closings, and public safety messages.

• Click Here to Download for Apple IOS
• Click Here to Download for Android

Before a Disaster

• Sign-Language Preparedness Video from the Connecticut Department of Public Health
• American Red Cross- Preparing to Go to an Emergency Shelter
• Building a Go Kit
• Specific Disaster Preparedness Tips:
  • Hurricane Preparedness
  • Flooding
  • Fire Safety
    • Heating Safety
    • The Importance of Working Smoke Alarms
    • Cooking Safety
    • Home Escape Planning
    • Electrical Safety

During a Disaster

• Shelter in Place During a Disaster
• Evacuations and Sheltering

After a Disaster

• Tips on How to Return Home Safely after a Disaster
• Registering for Disaster Assistance
  
• Cleaning Up After a Disaster
• Cleaning up Mold Safely
• Beware of Scams