Everyone means everyone during evacuation, with Secure Communities Forum

Eitan Charnoff, Secure Communities Forum Secretariat, discusses practical strategies fire services can use to better serve disabled individuals during emergency events and disaster scenarios 

Whether career or volunteer, local or national, fire services are a cornerstone of safety and resilience in communities worldwide. While these services are designed to protect everyone, ensuring they are accessible and inclusive for disabled populations remains an area ripe for growth.  

With over 1 billion people globally identifying as disabled, this is the world’s largest minority group and their unique needs must be integrated into fire service strategies on a theoretical level and implemented on the frontlines on a practical level.  

Acknowledging this importance of this topic, The Secure Communities Forum, established by the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates, runs a Global Working Group on Public Safety and People of Determination, the term used for people with disabilities in the UAE. Building on the efforts of this working group efforts, the goal of this article is to foster such conversations within the departments and agencies of all who will read it. 

The gap in reporting and planning 

Emergencies are inherently complex for civilians and responders alike, disabled populations often face additional challenges during these events that are often under-reported in the press and in after action reports by professional agencies.

Whether routine fire incidents or large-scale disasters. Mobility impairments, sensory limitations, cognitive disabilities, and medical dependencies can all influence how individuals react to emergencies and their ability to evacuate safely.  

Eitan Charnoff

Addressing these challenges requires an understanding that traditional evacuation procedures may not work for everyone. For example, individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility aids may find standard evacuation routes, such as stairs or narrow passageways, inaccessible and even if they are to be evacuated via such routes it could be at the price of their wheelchair or mobility assistive device leaving them dependent on emergency services for a prolonged period after initial evacuation.  

Those who are deaf or hard of hearing may not detect auditory alarms, while individuals who are blind or have low vision may struggle to follow visual cues like exit signs. Individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities may find it difficult to understand or react appropriately to emergency instructions which should be distilled into the simplest possible cues and guidelines.

Prolonged evacuations without access to necessary medical equipment or support can pose significant risks for those with medical dependencies. 

Adapting shelter plans for all needs 

During emergencies, disabled individuals may require alternative sheltering strategies. For example, someone with limited mobility may need to shelter in a designated refuge area rather than evacuate through conventional routes.

Similarly, in large-scale disasters such as wildfires or floods, evacuation centres should try their best to offer accessible sleeping arrangements, medical equipment, and sensory-friendly spaces for individuals with specific needs.  

Eitan Charnoff

These considerations highlight the importance of including disabled populations in fire service planning and response protocols. By doing so, fire services can ensure that all community members are protected during emergencies. 

To meet the needs of disabled populations effectively, fire services must invest in comprehensive training and preparedness programs ahead of time. These efforts should focus on understanding the diverse range of disabilities and how these conditions can affect an individual’s ability to respond during emergencies. Practical exercises, such as navigating spaces in wheelchairs or using basic sign language to communicate, can build both empathy and competence. Standard emergency protocols should be updated to ensure inclusivity.  

This includes identifying and mapping accessible evacuation routes in buildings, implementing visual alarms and other assistive technologies, and establishing procedures for assisting individuals with mobility impairments during evacuations.

Rather than develop these alone, collaborating with disabled individuals and advocacy groups can provide valuable insights into the specific needs of the community. This partnership can inform the creation of registries for individuals requiring additional assistance during emergencies, regular fire drills that include disabled participants, and public awareness campaigns tailored to disabled audiences. 

Designing fire services that prioritise disabled populations enhances safety for the entire community.

Eitan Charnoff

Features like accessible evacuation routes and multi-sensory alarm systems benefit seniors, families with young children, and others with specific needs. Additionally, inclusive practices demonstrate a commitment to equity and human rights, strengthening trust between fire services and the communities they serve. 

Inclusion is fundamental, not optional  

Addressing the needs of disabled populations is not an ancillary task but a fundamental aspect of effective fire service management. By integrating inclusivity of disabilities into training, planning, and response, fire services can further build trust with their communities while simultaneously addressing central issues to emergency response.

With proactive investments and a collaborative approach, fire services can ensure that no one is left behind during emergencies, building a foundation of safety and dignity for every member of the community. 

About the Author 

Eitan Charnoff is a firefighter with over a decade of experience and a public safety consultant specialising in community resilience. He serves as the Secretariat of the Secure Communities Forum (SCF), a UAE based initiative which runs an international focus group dedicated to addressing the needs of People with Disabilities in emergency situations. 

This article was originally published in the May 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.