Episode 15: Emergency Planning from a Rural Perspective
We begin today’s episode by setting the stage with our own experiences. Jen still isn't with us today because she's still facing a crisis with her son, Julian. Meanwhile, Haley found herself at Gillette for labs with Felix, ran into Tram, who was there by coincidence to pick up her daughter Sadie's new AFOs and decided to go visit Jen and Julian. It’s been over a year since all 6 of us have been together. The serendipitous meeting reminds us of our interconnected journeys, highlighting the sense of community that underpins everything we do.
Introducing Morgan Klatt
Morgan is a vital voice in the disability community, living in the rural town of Embarrass, Minnesota. She met our Rarely Familiar hosts during other unexpected hospital encounters. Today, Morgan shares her expertise on emergency planning, especially the unique challenges faced by those in rural settings.
Building a Comprehensive Emergency Binder
Morgan emphasizes the importance of having a detailed binder for emergency situations. Triggered by her own health scare in 2015, she realized the critical need for a transparent, accessible plan should anything happen to her. The binder includes:
Emergency care plans developed with local EMTs and Gillette providers.
Detailed medical information like pulmonary and nutrition care plans for tube feeds.
Contact lists, medication schedules, and doctor's information.
Instructions for medical devices, catered to your child’s specific needs.
Navigating Rural Emergency Services
Living in a rural area poses distinctive challenges during emergencies. Morgan describes past experiences with a disjointed system of responders including first responders, EMTs, and paramedics. Recognizing the gaps, she initiated meet-and-greets with local emergency services teams, enhancing communication and understanding of her daughter Addie's medical needs.
Essential Preparations and Home Planning
Morgan shares various strategies for rural living:
Backup Power Solutions: A home generator to support essential medical equipment during power outages.
Home Shelter Planning: Dedicated safe rooms stocked with emergency items and the ability to shelter in place.
Running an Efficient Household: A well-stocked inventory of medical supplies to account for delivery delays.
Packing the Go Bags
The need for preparedness extends beyond medical information, leading to the development of multiple "go" bags for emergency evacuation. These bags include first aid essentials, backup medical equipment, and performing aids for situations like hospital visits where typical resources are unavailable.
Key Takeaways/Action Items
Visit your local EMS
Start creating a printed binder in collaboration with your complex care physician (link to template to come)
Get a backup Power Solution for your home
Stock up on supplies