Emergency Preparedness with Marty Sobo (Part 2)

In this powerful follow-up conversation, The Blind Chick welcomes back Marty Sobo to continue the discussion on emergency preparedness for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Marty shares firsthand experiences from surviving the California wildfires, highlighting critical gaps in emergency alert systems, evacuation challenges, and the importance of self-advocacy, community support, and preparedness strategies.
This episode builds on Part 1, where Marty shared the harrowing details of his experience navigating the LA fires. If you haven’t heard it yet, be sure to listen to Part 1 to fully grasp the impact and significance of this conversation.

Key Topics & Takeaways:
? Alert System Inefficiencies: Why emergency alerts vary by location and how some fail to reach those who need them most.
? Disaster Preparedness for the Blind Community: Practical steps to create a personal evacuation plan, including backup supplies, accessible communication strategies, and designating safe meetup locations.
? The Importance of Knowing Your Neighbors: Building relationships with your local community can be life-saving in an emergency.
? How to Prepare in Advance: The significance of having a "go bag," storing essential documents at multiple locations, and keeping extra mobility aids (like a folding cane) with trusted family members or friends.
? Emergency Drills & Rehearsing Your Plan: How practicing evacuations can reduce stress and panic when disaster strikes.

Chapter Markers:
? 00:00 – Intro: Welcome to The Blind Chick! Why this episode matters.
? 01:15 – Recap of Part 1: Marty Sobo’s experience with the LA fires.
? 02:30 – Emergency Alert Systems: Why accessibility is a major issue.
? 05:00 – California vs. Colorado: How disaster notifications vary by state.
? 08:45 – The Role of Fire Departments & Local Agencies.
? 12:10 – How to Build a Personal Emergency Plan.
? 16:00 – Self-Advocacy: What to communicate with neighbors & emergency responders.
? 19:30 – The Importance of Practicing Evacuation Plans.
? 24:00 – Final Thoughts: Marty’s key takeaways on disaster preparedness.
? 27:30 – Closing Remarks: Stay prepared & connected!

? Call to Action:
? Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Your feedback helps us grow and reach more listeners. ? Share this episode with your friends, family, and community—preparedness saves lives! ? Questions or suggestions? Email us at [Insert Email] or follow us on social media at @Aftersight. ? Subscribe to The Blind Chick wherever you listen to podcasts!