Older Adult Resources

Our calling is to take care of our citizens as if they were members of our own family. For the first time in US history, older adults will outnumber children by 2035, and the Orange Beach Fire Department has continued to see a significant number of calls for service for older adults.

In addition to providing emergency services, we know the importance of investing in prevention. We are committed to helping our older adults remain safe, active and independent by providing free community education and assistance

  1. Fire Safety
  2. Fall Prevention

Community Connect

Don't forget to create a Community Connect account and keep it updated! If you or members of your family have mobility or other types of functional needs that may require additional assistance, letting us know means we can plan accordingly and respond more quickly to those needs. For more information about Community Connect, click here


Escape Planning for Older Adults

Plan for your abilities:

Making a home fire escape plan for yourself means making plans for your abilities and home environment

  • Remove clutter in the hallways, stairways, and near exits or windows for a clear, safe path out of your home
  • Keep your walker, scooter, cane, or wheelchair by your bed where you sleep to make sure you can reach it quickly
  • Keep your eyeglasses, mobile phone, and a flashlight by your bed/where you sleep to be able to reach them quickly in an emergency
  • If you cannot escape safely, keep your door shut, place a towel or blanket at the bottom of the door and stand near the window for firefighters to reach you. Call 911 to let us know you are inside the home
  • If you are deaf, hearing impaired, or have trouble hearing, install a bedside alert such as a bed shaker alarm that works with your smoke alarm to alert you of a fire. Strobe light alarms can be added to your smoke alarms for a visual alert
  • For those who are visually impaired or blind, the sound of the smoke alarm can become disorienting in an emergency. Practice the escape plan with the sound of the alarm to become familiar with, and practice with the extra noise. 
  • When looking for an apartment or condo, look for one with an automatic sprinkler system
  • For those with cognitive disabilities, work with their healthcare providers and be sure to make a plan that works for their needs.  Keep your Community Connect app updated with this plan 

Escape plan grid