October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Dating back to 1945, this national campaign is about raising the awareness of disability employment challenges. Understanding that the National Park Service has a very diverse workforce that includes many special populations, the need to address fire safety at the workplace and in our housing for all groups is extremely relevant.

Special populations are at risk for a number of reasons:

• Decreased mobility, health, sight, and hearing may limit a person's ability to take the quick action necessary to escape during a fire emergency.
• Depending on physical limitations, many of the actions an individual can take to protect themselves from the dangers of fire may require help from a caretaker, neighbor, or outside source.

If you are injured or very ill these tips could be of interest to you as well as your mobility and situational awareness may be less than usual.

Special populations such as older adults, people with physical or mental disabilities, the deaf or hard of hearing, and the visually impaired can significantly increase their chances of surviving a fire by practicing proven fire safety precautions.

It is vitally important to make and practice escape plans

• Involve the assistance of a building manager, family member, or a trusted friend when practicing your fire escape plan.
• If you utilize a service animal, practice your fire escape plan with them.
• Identify at least two viable exits from every room.
• Use a bedroom on the ground floor, as close to an exit as possible.
• If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to make sure you can get through.
• If necessary, have a ramp available for emergency exits.

• Practice opening locked or barred doors, windows, and screens.
• If a fire occurs, do not waste any time saving property. Leave the building immediately. Once out, stay out.

Inform Others of Your Special Needs

• Contact your park or local fire department on a non-emergency telephone number and explain your special needs.
• The local fire department may be able to help you with your escape plan and may also be able to perform a home fire safety inspection, as well as offer suggestions about smoke alarm placement and maintenance.
• Ask your local dispatch to keep your special needs information on file so it is accessible to emergency responders.

Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms

• Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home. It will dramatically increase your chances of survival in case of a fire.
• People with disabilities should be aware that special fire safety devices are available, including smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light for the deaf or hard of hearing. In addition, smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the house can catch the attention of neighbors for assistance.
• Smoke alarm batteries need to be tested every month and changed twice a year. If you can't reach the test button on your smoke alarm, ask someone to test it for you.