Yavapai County Community Health Services has introduced a new bilingual Emergency Communication Brochure designed to help residents communicate essential needs during emergencies, disasters, evacuations, sheltering operations, and medical incidents. The brochure serves as a portable communication aid for individuals who may have trouble speaking or understanding spoken language during stressful situations. It includes visual symbols, bilingual English Spanish text, emergency preparedness planning tools, medical information sections, and an emergency communication board that allows users to point to specific needs.
“During an emergency, communication can become one of the biggest barriers to receiving assistance,” said Sean Underhill, Yavapai County Community Health Services Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. “This brochure provides a simple, visual way for people to communicate critical needs such as medical conditions, pain levels, transportation needs, food, water, shelter, medication, and family reunification.”
Key features include:
- Bilingual English Spanish communication support
- Emergency medical and health icons
- Pain assessment scale
- Body maps for indicating injuries or symptoms
- Personal emergency contact information
- Emergency preparedness planning questions
- Go-bag preparedness reminders
- Shelter and evacuation communication tools
- Quick-access YES and NO responses
- Alphabet board for spelling words
The brochure is intended for use by emergency shelters, hospitals, first responders, Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, public health personnel, schools, long-term care facilities, and families preparing for disasters. Residents are encouraged to complete the personal profile section, store the brochure in their emergency preparedness kit, and review it with family members and caregivers before an emergency occurs. For additional preparedness resources, emergency alerts, and printable materials including this brochure, visit YavapaiReady.gov. To request printed copies of the Emergency Communication brochure, contact our Public Health Emergency Preparedness Medical Reserve Corps at MRC@yavapaiaz.gov.
