Advice for Persons with Disabilities

Emergencies can present additional challenges for persons with disabilities and people with long-term health conditions. Planning ahead — before an emergency happens — can make a significant difference to your safety.

Make a Personal Emergency Plan

A personal emergency plan is a simple document that sets out what you would do — and who would help you — in an emergency. It should be tailored to your specific needs.

  • Think about how different emergencies (power cut, flooding, evacuation) would affect you and what support you would need.
  • Identify at least one trusted person — a neighbour, friend, family member or carer — who knows your plan and can assist you.
  • Share your plan with your GP, carer, and building manager if relevant.
  • Review your plan regularly and after any change in your health or circumstances.
  • Download our Household Emergency Plan template and adapt it to your needs.

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)

If you may need help to evacuate a building in an emergency, prepare a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). PEEPs are also used in workplaces, schools and other public buildings — ask your employer or building manager about yours. The Supported Needs & Disability Office provides guidance and an example PEEP form (PDF).

Prepare Your Grab Bag

In addition to the standard grab bag items, persons with disabilities should include:

  • A full list of your medications, dosages, and prescribing GP.
  • Spare prescription medications where possible — ask your GP about obtaining an emergency supply.
  • Any essential medical devices (hearing aids, glasses, insulin supplies, catheters, etc.).
  • Contact details for your GP, GHA specialist, and carer.
  • Copies of key documents: medical summary, care plan, power of attorney.
  • Any communication aids or devices you rely on.

Consider including a completed Supported Needs and Disability Passport (PDF) in your grab bag. Published by the Supported Needs & Disability Office, it records in one place the information others may need to support you — invaluable to emergency responders and carers.

Power Cuts and Medical Equipment

If you rely on electrically powered medical equipment — such as a ventilator, stairlift, electric wheelchair charger, or oxygen concentrator — a power cut can quickly become a medical emergency.

  • Contact Gibelec on 200 75957 to register for their priority reconnection service. Registered customers are given priority when restoring power after an outage.
  • Speak to your GP or GHA specialist about backup options for your medical equipment during a power cut.
  • Keep devices charged and consider a battery backup or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for critical equipment.
  • Know in advance who to call if your equipment fails — your equipment supplier, GHA, or 999 if it is a medical emergency.

Evacuation

If you are asked to evacuate your home, having a plan in place beforehand is essential.

  • Identify in advance any assistance you may need to leave your home quickly — do not wait until an emergency to discuss this with neighbours or carers.
  • Complete a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) so that the help you need to evacuate is agreed and written down in advance.
  • If you live in a building with lifts, ask your building manager or residents' association about the evacuation procedure for people who cannot use stairs. Lifts must not be used in a fire.
  • Keep mobility aids, glasses, hearing aids and other essential items easily accessible — not packed away.
  • Know your nearest evacuation route and an alternative if the first is blocked.
  • If you are unable to evacuate without assistance, ensure your trusted contact and a neighbour are aware and have agreed to help.

Advice for Carers

If you care for a person with a disability or someone with a long-term health condition:

  • Make sure you have an emergency plan that covers what the person in your care would do if you were unavailable during an emergency.
  • Identify a backup carer who could step in at short notice.
  • Keep a written record of the person's care needs, medications and contacts in a place others can find quickly.
  • Keep a completed Supported Needs and Disability Passport (PDF) with that record — it sets out the person's needs in a format others can act on quickly.
  • Ensure the person in your care has their own grab bag prepared with their specific needs.
  • Speak to your GP or the GHA if you need advice on planning for specific care needs during an emergency.

Register Your Needs

Several services in Gibraltar allow you to register specific needs so that support can be prioritised in an emergency:

  • Supported Needs & Disability Office (SNDO) — can meet with you and help you make the necessary arrangements so that you are safe in the event of an emergency. Phone: 200 42196, WhatsApp: 56003195, email: sndo@gibraltar.gov.gi.
  • Gibelec Priority Register — for those dependent on electrically powered medical equipment: 200 75957.
  • AquaGib — contact them if you have specific needs related to water supply interruptions: 200 41288.
  • GHA — ensure your medical records are up to date and your GP is aware of your emergency needs. If you have complex needs that may require coordinated support during a major emergency, discuss this with your GP: 111.

For more guidance, download our Vulnerable Persons Guide (PDF) — it also covers advice for elderly residents, children, carers and non-English speakers.