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Emergency Preparedness


American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Healthy Children

This website is a great source of verified health information for parents on a wide range of health topics, such as healthy living, family life, immunizations, child development, and medical conditions. They offer articles with topics including safety, disaster preparedness, fitness, school issues, dating, substance abuse, emotional wellness, psychiatric medications, grief and more. You can also use the website to find a pediatrician in your zip code.
healthychildren.org

American Heart Association

The publisher for the official guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). Use the website to find CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) trainings near you, or to purchase training materials. They also have helpful information on heart-healthy living (such as eating, fitness, quitting smoking), heart conditions (heart attack and stroke symptoms, congenital heart defects, and more), and tools for healthcare professionals and educators.
(800) 242-8721
Main Website: heart.org
CPR Classes: cpr.heart.org

American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region

Provides shelter, food, healthcare, and mental health services for victims of disaster; disaster preparedness and lifesaving skills training; blood drives, and specialized services for members of the military and veterans. The Central & Southern Ohio Region includes Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton.

  • Home Fire Safety/Smoke Alarms: Provides home fire safety education, tests existing smoke alarms, and installs up to 3 free smoke alarms for those that need them.
    (844) 207-4509
  • Red Cross Training: Provides first aid, CPR, AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Babysitting training, Lifeguarding training, and swimming/water safety classes. Many classes are free. Visit the website to find a class near you.
    redcross.org/local/ohio/take-a-class
  • Service to the Armed Forces: Provides financial assistance to military members, veterans, and their families to help cover emergency travel, rent, food, or utility expenses.
    (877) 272-7337
  • Mobile Apps: Offers several free apps users can download for donating blood, first aid for parents and kids, transfusion guidelines for hospitals and medical professionals, and fire safety for kids. The Emergency App provides extreme weather alerts, step-by-step preparation guidelines, and an interactive map to find Red Cross shelters.
    redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html

24/7 Disaster Services: (800) 733-2767
Columbus Office: 995 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 253-2740
redcross.org/local/ohio/central-and-southern-ohio.html

British Swim School

Offers swim safety classes for swimmers of all ages and experience levels, with a variety of programs for children ages 3 months to adults. Their three-part curriculum teaches the skills needed for water acclimation, water survival, and stroke development. Swimmers progress from learning how to be safe in the water to mastering swimming strokes. Families pay a monthly fee for services. They offer Hope Floats scholarships for low-income families and accept payments from Ohio RISE. Visit the website to find locations across the country. Columbus locations are listed below.
LA Fitness Grandview: 850 Goodale Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43212
Wesley Glen Retirement: 5155 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 545-6350
britishswimschool.com/columbus-region

CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response

Provides information on emergency preparedness to help protect you and your loved ones. They also provide resources for emergency health professionals and information on recent national incidences. The website has information on natural disasters, school preparedness, and more.
(800) 232-4636 or (888) 232-6348 TTY
cdc.gov/emergency/index.html

Columbus Public Health (CPH) Resource Lists

These neighborhood resource lists are extremely helpful in finding resources near you. They provide detailed listings of free and low cost health care, vision care, dental care, prescription help, food pantries, transportation, job help, pregnancy resources and much more. They are updated annually and reviewed by the Columbus Public Health social work team. Please note that CPH does not provide direct monetary assistance, but these lists are helpful in finding community agencies that do provide this assistance.

240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-6807
columbus.gov/Services/Public-Health/Find-Health-Care-Resources/Health-Resources-List

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Disaster Assistance

FEMA is responsible for organizing government-wide relief efforts after a disaster. Visit the website for a list of federally declared disasters, resources on how to prepare your family for emergencies, and information on response and recovery efforts. Use the Disaster Assistance website to apply for FEMA disaster assistance and to check the status of your application.
FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline: (800) 621-3362
Disaster Assistance Application Website: disasterassistance.gov
Find Your Regional FEMA Office: fema.gov/about/contact
FEMA website: fema.gov

Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FCEM&HS)

FCEM&HS coordinates and prepares for all-hazards disaster planning, education, warning, response, and recovery efforts in Franklin County for natural and man-made disasters. Visit the website for information on how to keep your family prepared for disasters and emergencies. Sign up for ALERT Franklin County or FCREADY texts to get severe weather and emergency notifications straight to your phone.
5300 Strawberry Farms Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43230
General Questions: (614) 794-0213
FCREADY: Text FCREADY to 888777
ALERT Franklin County: alertfranklincounty.org
fcemhs.org

LifeCare Alliance

Agency in Central Ohio with comprehensive health programs for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families. They operate in Franklin, Champaign, Logan, Marion, and Madison counties. Individuals can be referred by a professional or refer themselves by completing the online referral form. Programs in Franklin County include:

  • Health & Wellness Programs: Free head-to-toe cancer screenings & mammograms for anyone regardless of insurance or ability to pay; programs for kids and and adults with diabetes; travel vaccine clinic; low-cost blood pressure checks, foot care, nutrition education, and wellness classes at their community wellness centers; in-home care from visiting nurses.
    Cancer Services: (614) 263-5006
    (614) 278-3130
  • IMPACT Safety: Personal safety and violence reduction class, including emotional skills and physical self-defense. This program requires a fee but need-based scholarships are available. Community programs are offered for free several times per year in Columbus, and they offer specialized options for kids, people with disabilities, women of color, and businesses.
    (614) 437-2884
  • Senior Nutrition Programs: Serves free hot meals every day at Carrie’s Cafe for seniors 60+ years old; hosts free meals for seniors at Senior Dining Center locations; home-delivered Meals-on-Wheels for seniors or medically-challenged individuals; Senior Farmers Markets for those 60+ years old and meet income guidelines.
    (614) 437-2987
  • Project Open Hand: Free nutrition program for children or adults living with HIV/AIDS. Provides access to hot meals at Carrie’s Cafe, one-on-one nutrition counseling, home-delivered meals, and emergency meal assistance.
    (614) 437-2854

Administrative Office, Travel Vaccines & Wellness Services: 1699 West Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223
(614) 278-3130
Carrie’s Cafe & Senior Nutrition Programs: 670 Harmon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43223
(614) 437-2987
lifecarealliance.org/programs

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles ID R Kids

Parents can apply for an Ohio ID card for their children at any Deputy Registrar BMV location. Parents of children who have an Ohio ID card can also add their contact information to their child’s record for use in the event the child becomes lost or is reported missing. The fee is waived for children under age 17 with a disability.
1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223
(844) 644-6268
Ohio ID Card Info: bmv.ohio.gov/dl-id-card.aspx
Find a location near you: publicsafety.ohio.gov/local-office

Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA)

Promotes statewide severe weather safety and preparedness. The website has helpful resources on safety precautions to take around your home and with loved ones to stay safe during extreme heat, winter weather, storms, tornadoes, fires, and more. They have helpful guides on keeping kids and senior citizens safe, how to build an emergency preparedness kit, current weather conditions, and more.
2855 West Dublin-Granville Road Columbus, OH 43235
weathersafety.ohio.gov

Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA)

Agency responsible for state-wide relief efforts after natural or man-made disasters. Visit the website for real-time tracking of weather and disasters, emergency preparedness resources, and Ohio emergency warning systems.
2855 West Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio 43235
(614) 889-7150
ema.ohio.gov

Ohio PTA

Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) are networks of families and educators supporting children’s learning. The Ohio PTA offers annual $500 scholarships for high school seniors pursuing higher education at a college or university, a technical certification, or Special Education degree. Students must attend a school in a district with official PTA status to apply. The National PTA offer additional awards and programs. Their website has tons of helpful information for parents and educators on topics like special education, state assessments, college readiness, summer learning, safety, and more.
40 Northwoods Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43235
(614) 781-6344
Ohio PTA: ohiopta.org
National PTA: pta.org/home/family-resources

PBS Kids When Something Scary Happens

Offers resources for families with young children to cope in emergencies and other challenging times. Find videos and activities with familiar PBS characters and age-appropriate information on emergency preparedness, coping, and resiliency. Parents and educators can find helpful information and lesson plans written for adults.
pbskids.org/learn/when-something-scary-happens

Project ADAM

Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam’s Memory) helps schools across the country implement life-saving programs to make Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) readily available. They help prepare schools and communities for cardiac emergencies through advocacy, CPR and AED training, and sudden cardiac arrest education. Visit the website for checklists and tools to make your school, sports team, or community program Heart Safe.
(614) 722-8549
Project ADAM Ohio at Nationwide Children’s Hospital: nationwidechildrens.org/project-adam
National Website: projectadam.com/Adam

Ready.gov

A national public service campaign to educate and empower people to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. Visit the website for helpful information on making a family emergency plan, safety tips, and signing up for emergency alerts. Ready Kids has age-appropriate information and games for kids to learn about emergency preparedness at home or at school.
Ready Kids: ready.gov/kids
ready.gov

Sesame Street in the Communities

Provides fun and educational resources for families from the child educators behind the Sesame Street show. Topics range from ABCs & 123s to tough topics that affect children’s lives; including health and wellness, social-emotional skills, trauma, race, grief, and more. They offer free videos, games, and worksheets for children to explore; and resources for parents and educators.

Sesame Workshop Resources for Families Website: sesameworkshop.org/resources
Kids’ Website: sesamestreet.org/home

USA.gov

An official guide to federal information and services. Use the website to find helpful, easy-to-read information on topics like how the government works, government benefits, disability services, immigration and citizenship, taxes, legal issues and more. The website can also be used to register to vote, print tax forms or check on a tax refund, file a complaint, and other government-related tasks.
(844) 872-4681
usa.gov



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