Active response is the role that everyone plays when they have reached a point where they are willing to make changes in their community. This the light bulb moment when you say I have to do something. When a situation happens, the active response is the get up and go attitude that makes you push on. Being unprepared, victims of crime, and hopelessness are all things that inspires someone to make a positive change in their community. Every family’s worst nightmare is an emergency. Regardless of what is taking place, it becomes very scary when dealing with situations that may cause harm to you or loved ones. Having discussions and creating a plan helps to ease the worry about what actions to take during an emergency. Self defense, Safety Training , Neighborhood watch, citizens patrol, business watch, community emergency response training, crime prevention, personal protection are all forms of active response that can be taken to ensure safety and harmony in any neighborhood. All towns, cities and counties have emergency-evacuation and alert plans and programs. Make sure you know how to access that information along with your family plan.
If someone has invaded your home and you are being robbed, what should you do? Obviously you should call 911 but imagine if your cell phone did not work or you have no idea what to do next.
Imagine this, one day you go to your sisters to visit for awhile. Well, 8 turns into 9 and 9 to 10. Pretty soon, it is around midnight and you hear gunshots out side. Your sister’s kids are already passed out in their beds. So she looks out the window and calls 911. The general lay out of your sis’ house is a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom home with only one door in the inside….it goes to the bath room. There is also a straight hallway leading from the front door to the bedroom where you are. So here you are thinking what am I supposed to do? I have nowhere to run and no way out, with your twins and her two boys. Even if you jumped out a window, someone would have to be there to hand kids down or catch them. So what would you do?
This scenario is the basis of active response. By becoming part of the solution you can receive training to help you answer the questions you have.
You should:
- Lock yourself in a room and be very quiet.
- Turn off all the lights, radios and televisions call 911 or an emergency dispatch.
- Do not let anyone in until you are sure the area is clear.
- If there is a natural disaster, find shelter and follow instructions from radio or television.
- If you experience a power outage, remain calm, and use your cell phone to call the power company.
In a situation dealing with Fire, think about this…
- If you are on fire, stop, drop and roll.
- Do not run.
- Should you need to escape a building fire, get out quickly.
- Take your essentials, such as your wallet and medications.
- Check closed doors to make sure they are not hot by touching the door. If they are, do NOT open them.
- Exit through a window. (what about backdraft…won’t that bring oxygen into a room and suck the fire into the room?)
- Crawl low.
- Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from smoke damage.
- Call 9-1-1.
- Do not go back into the building until fire personnel deem it safe.
In case of a flood, do this…
- Listen to your local radio or television on a battery operated device to get updates.
- Turn off all the utilities in your home.
- Prepare to evacuate.
- Secure your home.
- Remember, moving water can cause you to fall down.
- In high water, use a stick to check the ground as you walk.
- Do not drive in areas of flooding.
- Get to a refuge.
- Do not drink the water.
In case of an extreme winter storm, do this…
- Conserve fuel by turning down the heat.
- Close off rooms.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Eat and drink regularly, maintaining your body heat.
- If your pipes freeze, take off the insulation and wrap them in rags.
- Open all faucets.
- Pour hot water on the pipes.
- If you are using kerosene heaters, check for adequate ventilation.
- If outdoors, avoid overexertion, cover your mouth, and watch for hypothermia.
- Do not drive (especially in Houston) unless absolutely necessary
The Department of Inner-City Emergency Response will assist you or your family in developing plans to address issues and concerns that you may face during an emergency situation. Remember failure to plan is planning to fail.