By Tracy Waller, Esq, MPH
Emergency Preparedness and Disability
On January 7, 2025, the Palisades wildfire began in Los Angeles, California. Since then, the Eaton Fire and several other fires have erupted across the area, as firefighters have struggled to control the blaze. Hundreds of thousands of people have faced evacuation orders, many people have died, and many others are unable to safely return to their homes.
The area, where many celebrities reside, has drawn a lot of national attention.[1] It is nearly impossible to turn on any United States (US) news source (TV or radio broadcast) without mention of the Los Angeles (LA) fires. When searching online with the phrase, “donating to LA fires,” one will find no shortage of organizations accepting donations and news outlets, like USAToday, have compiled lists to help. Many lists, including this one, include low-income families affected by the fires (notably, after the animal care services); however, specific mentions of people with disabilities are often missing from donation lists and disaster and emergency articles.
The strong Santa Ana winds in the LA area blow embers from nearby fires and have caused smaller fires to erupt, creating deadly situations. Neighborhoods throughout Southern California are on high alert as they watch for evacuation orders. Unfortunately, disabled people often cannot easily evacuate. Moreover, even if they can, the places they evacuate to may not be able to accommodate them (e.g., ramps, elevators for people using wheelchairs, interpreters for Deaf people, in-room refrigerators for insulin for diabetics or others who require refrigerated medications, etc.). Because many people in disaster preparedness have not fully thought about access, people with disabilities are especially vulnerable in these situations.
On January 10, 2025, The Los Angeles Times (LA Times) published an article about Anthony Mitchell Sr. and his son, Justin Mitchell. Anthony and Justin died in their Altadena home waiting for an ambulance (or other method of emergency evacuation) after an evacuation order was issued for their neighborhood. Anthony, an amputee, used a wheelchair, and Justin had cerebral palsy and needed assistance getting out of bed. Firefighters prohibited family members from entering the evacuation zone to get them, so Anthony and Justin had to wait for an ambulance, which, sadly, never arrived.
Unfortunately, this family’s situation is not unique; however, it was highlighted on January 10 in the LA Times, on January 11 on 6abc and various other news sources, and again nationally, on January 13, 2025 on National Public Radio (NPR). With this national coverage, hopefully the needle moves closer to raising awareness about the inequities of resources available for people with disabilities during disaster and emergency situations.
Rather than recreating the wheel, we have compiled a list of resources from various websites below. The list includes those directly related to this disaster, emergency preparedness for future disasters, crisis support, and more.
Emergency Resources for People with Disabilities
- Camp Conrad Chinnock: www.DiabetesCamping.Org: Type1 Diabetes Los Angeles Fire Relief: We have resources available for those in need of insulin, glucose tablets, syringes, and glucagon. Please reach out if you require assistance during this time.
- Mask Bloc LA: mutual aid project to distribute free masks in the so-called LA Area. https://maskbloc.org/ (Instagram: @maskblocla)
- Mutual Aid LA Network: is maintaining a list of resources available to those affected by the fires in a Google Sheet and updating it with resources if you need a resource of have something to donate.
- The Sidewalk Project: arts and peer empowerment that exists to create wellness for those that live outdoors; dedicated to social change, bettering relationships, and offering community resources in the houseless community. Current Amazon wishlist (emergency/disaster relief products included): Amazon.com
Note: The Below list is copied and pasted directly from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) with a few updates.
- AAC Disaster Relief: responds to nationally declared disasters on behalf of USSAAC members, people who use AAC, their families, and other AAC stakeholders. USSAAC works collaboratively with other organizations to replace AAC tools and devices that are lost or damaged because of a nationally declared disaster.
- American Red Cross: provides many resources including a Shelter Locator and a Disaster Safety Plan for People with Disabilities.
- CalHOPE: delivers crisis support for communities impacted by a national disaster. This is a Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and run by the California Department of Health Care Services.
- California’s Office of Emergency Services: identifies the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access or functional needs before, during, and after disasters and to integrate them into the State’s emergency management systems.
- CDC: Emergency Preparedness and Response, Taking Care of Your Emotional Health: Webpage with tips for taking care of your emotional health during a disaster. Available in Spanish.
- The City of Los Angeles’ Emergency Management Department: plans for, responds to, and recovers from complex events and disasters that impact the communities of Los Angeles.
- Disability Disaster Access & Resources:is a program by the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers.
- DisasterAssistance.gov:provides disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.
- FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency): Get Assistance After a Disaster: Website with individual and family assistance information for after a disaster. Available in languages other than English. (Federal website)
- How to Apply for FEMA Financial Assistance After a Disaster (from DRC): This offers a guide.
- Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies: Disability and Disaster Hotline: Call/Text: +1 (800) 626-4959 for assistance with immediate and urgent disaster-related needs (led by disabled people, for disabled people before, during, and after disasters and emergencies) Available in languages other than English. email: hotline@disasterstrategies.org
- Preparing for a Natural Disaster: Disability Rights California’s (DRC) guide prepared by a staff attorney who assists survivors of wildfires and works on disaster preparedness initiatives. The first step is to prepare for the disaster by having conversations with the people around you.
- SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline: provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
- Wildfire Resource Guide & How Disability Rights California Can Help You:
DRC can help you if you need help with your legal rights including: 1) The alerts not being accessible. 2) If you go to a shelter or evacuation site and it is not accessible. 3) If your service or emotional support animal is not allowed in a shelter with you. 4) If you need access to medicine or equipment that you did not bring with you and have questions about how to get it.
image alt text: Light blue and dark blue AUCD graphic pictures the AUCD logo that is a globe with a burst of lines through it. Text reads: Emergency Resources for People with Disabilities in Los Angeles; Resources Include: AAC Disaster Relief; Disability Disaster Access and Resources; American Red Cross Shelter Locator; DisasterAssistance.gov; Disability and Disaster Hotline +1 (800) 626-4959.
[1] I mention celebrities reside in the area because many people feel that it is one reason this fire may be receiving a lot of attention; however, it is also important to note that at least 24 people have been killed and tens of thousands of acres and 12,000 structures have been destroyed—and the fires are not yet under control.
