Emergency Preparedness and Fire Safety
Be Prepared
Emergency preparedness involves planning for disaster before it happens. Make sure you know what dangers affect the communities where you live, work, and play and that you make a plan for when an emergency or disaster happens.
3 Steps to Being Prepared for an Emergency
Creating an emergency plan that is right for you is a three-step process:
There are many resources available both locally and nationally to help you develop a plan and gather supplies.
Fire Safety
People who are Deaf or hard of hearing can use alarms with strobe (flashing) lights or vibrating alarms. Most major smoke alarm companies offer alarms with strobe lights.
If you live in a rental housing, Maryland law requires your landlord to provide a visual smoke detector upon request if you are Deaf or hard of hearing. In Public Safety Article 9-102 (b)(6), the law reads:
On written request of a tenant who is deaf or hearing impaired, the landlord shall provide a smoke detector that, when activated, provides a signal that:
(i) is approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for electrical appliances; and
(ii) is sufficient to warn the deaf or hearing impaired tenant.
Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources
Directories
Virtual Directory NEW!
Policies & Resource Guides
Policy: Sign Language Interpreter Specifications for Emergency Broadcasts
Resource Guide: Assistive Technology
Community Resources
Local
Fire and Burn Safety Coalition of Maryland
Maryland Department of Disabilities: Be Prepared (State of Maryland)
Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) (State of Maryland)
Out of State
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Emergency Preparedness and Response Videos (in ASL and Voice for selected videos) with Scripts for all videos
Department of Homeland Security
Emergency E-mail and Wireless Network: Register for Emergency Alerts
Emergency Management Ontario: Preparing Your Family for an Emergency Video (with ASL and Voice)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs
- Basic Disaster Supplies Kit