Emergency Planning

Feeling Safe. Being Safe

Hi, my name is Sam Durbin. I am the narrator of this DVD. I am a member of the DDS Consumer Advisory Committee. I hope you enjoy our presentation "Ways to have the life you want. My life, my way. Feeling safe, being safe." This is the story of how I used "think, plan, do" to create a plan to be safe and feel safe.

I began the "think, plan, do" process by thinking about why it is important for me to feel safe at home.

It's important for people to be prepared because if there's a major disaster, they need to take care of themselves until somebody can come. They need to not be in a position where they don't have any food or, you know, like the gas pipes are busted and they don't have a flashlight or a radio to find out where they can go because of flood or any kind of disaster.

They need to be prepared at all times, and that doesn't mean just people with disabilities. I think it means for everybody. Feeling safe means being safe. You have to feel safe deep down inside. Being safe means I know how to take care of myself and not be afraid.

With my goal set, I began to create a plan to look at ways to be safe at home using my community resources, my neighbors, and developing my own personal safety plan. I began by filling out my Feeling Safe, Being Safe worksheet. I learned that I needed an emergency kit to put my important items in.

I also discovered that there are very important items I need just in case I have to leave my home. I will put these items in my kit. I also need to know who to call in case of an emergency and ask where to go if I had to leave my home.

I need to get to know my neighbors so I can call them if there's an emergency and I need their help. I also have a friend at work that I can call in an emergency. By creating my plan, I know that I will be able to practice and be prepared for an emergency. I would also be able to tell other people how to help me.

I took action by creating my plan. I made a list of things I need to put in my kit – a list of all my medical conditions, medications, insurance, and some money. I put them in a plastic bag so they don't get wet.

Other things to include in my kit are food, water, eyeglasses, flashlight, whistle, radio, and emergency supplies. I put all of my emergency items in the kit and placed it by the door so that it will be easy for me to take if I have to leave my home.

I asked my neighbor to exchange phone numbers so we can help each other in an emergency. I made sure I knew how to call 911 and ask the person what I needed to do or where I needed to go if I could not stay in my home. I also would turn on my radio or TV to find out what I needed to do. I asked my friend to help me fill out my magnet and put it on my refrigerator for everyone to see. I want people to know how to help me.

If you feel safe, that means you're prepared. You can't feel safe without being safe – there's just no way. Think. Remember; think about what it is important to you in an emergency and how people can help you. Plan. Remember, making a plan helps you create the steps for what you want. Do. Remember, taking action is the way to get what you want and ask for help if you need it. Lots of people use think, plan, do.

Here's our friend Dan. He used "think, plan, do" to create his Feeling Safe, Being Safe plan.

Think. Dan wants to make sure he is living a safe life. This means that he is not in danger and will get help in an emergency.

Plan. Dan decided to create his Feeling Safe, Being Safe plan. His plan includes how to work his wheelchair, the items he needs to have in his kit, and the people he will call for help.

Do. Dan filled out his magnet with the help of his staff. He placed it on his refrigerator. His plan helps people know how to help him with is wheelchair and medical issues. To be safe and feel safe, have someone help you fill out your magnet and worksheet and gather the items you need for an emergency.

Practice your emergency evacuation. This means how you will leave your home in an emergency. This will help you learn what to do when you have to leave your home.

Here are some traps to remember. Not being prepared can put you in danger. Not sharing your plan means no one will know how to help you. Not practicing your plan can make you feel unprepared and worried. Department of Developmental Services Consumer Advisory Committee. Ways to have a life you want.

Sam Durbin. Sam is an active community presenter. He advocates for people to stand up for themselves. He helps people make their own choices. Sam is the author of a book, "You're Not the Boss of Me."

Dan Dawkins. Dan is an advocate and leader for people. Being independent and taking charge of his life is important to him. He enjoys having close, caring friends and family. Dan is working towards owning his own home-based shredding business.

I hope you enjoyed the presentation. Remember, feel safe and be safe. Thank you.