t’s 6pm and the power drops out mid-storm. The fridge holding medication has gone quiet. The tablet someone uses to communicate is at 12 per cent. The support worker due at seven is stuck behind a flooded road.
None of that is unusual on the Gold Coast in summer. A good emergency plan for people with disability answers those questions before the storm arrives, not during it.
Why storms hit harder when you rely on equipment and support
Power cuts, blocked roads and cancelled visits are an inconvenience for most households. If you rely on powered equipment, communication aids or daily support, they can quickly become a safety issue.
That doesn’t mean you need to fear storm season. It means your emergency plan for people with disability should be built around what you actually rely on.
What is a Person-Centred Emergency Plan (P-CEP)?
A person-centred emergency plan, often called a P-CEP, is a planning process for matching emergency preparation to the supports you need to stay safe. People with disability helped design the workbook, which is part of Queensland’s Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction toolkit.
It’s a conversation guide with four steps. You work out what you need, who helps you, and how you’d act together if something went wrong. Queensland Disability Network has the workbook and videos, and a support worker, family member or trained peer can help you work through it.
Your storm-ready checklist
Your emergency plan for people with disability doesn’t need to be finished in one night. Start with what matters most to you.
Medication and health information
- Enough medication for several days, stored where you can reach it
- A one-page summary of your conditions, medications and key contacts
- A plan for anything that needs refrigeration if the power is out
Power and devices
- Charged power banks and spare charging cables
- Backup batteries tested for equipment that uses them
- A charged phone, plus a way to communicate if the phone fails
Mobility and daily equipment
- Mobility aids and equipment in good working order
- A plan for assistance animals or pets
- An accessible place to go if you need to leave, and a way to get there
Your grab bag
- Medication, health summary and ID in one bag
- Communication aids and chargers
- A torch, and a list of your support contacts
Your check-in circle
Share your plan with a neighbour, a family member and your support team, and agree on a simple way to check in. A text that says “I’m OK” is enough.
What to agree with your support provider before a storm day
This is the step people often skip. Have the conversation with your provider while the sky is clear:
- Will staff still attend during severe weather, and what happens if roads are closed?
- Who do you call if your worker can’t make it, and who will call you?
- Which supports are essential that day, such as medication, personal care or meals?
- How will updates reach you: phone call, text or someone at the door?
The NDIS Commission says providers must have emergency and disaster management practices in place and must include participants in that planning. So you’re entitled to ask. This kind of disaster planning NDIS participants do with their provider is worth revisiting each season.
Heat and storms often arrive together
Summer weather can disturb routines and sleep, and that can affect how people feel. If you’ve read our post on how hot weather can change your emotions, you’ll know why a settled plan helps. It’s one less thing to worry about when conditions turn.
How Lotus Disability Care can help
Lotus Disability Care is a registered NDIS provider in Ashmore. Our Daily Living Support team can talk through what happens on a storm day. Get in touch or call 0493 084 705.
Frequently asked questions
Can my support worker help me make a plan? Yes. The P-CEP process is designed to be done with people you trust, including support workers.
Who do I call in an emergency? Call 000 if anyone is in danger. For storm damage, the State Emergency Service is on 132 500. If you need immediate help with your NDIS supports, the NDIS National Contact Centre is on 1800 800 110.
How often should I update my plan? Before each storm season, and any time your supports or living situation change.
Where can I find official storm information? Get Ready Queensland has an online planning tool and disability-specific advice.
Start small tonight
A good emergency plan for people with disability doesn’t have to be perfect. Tonight, charge your power banks and write down three phone numbers you’d need. That’s the first step, and the rest can follow this week.
