Pilot program to provide emergency kits for vulnerable residents

Published on August 16, 2017

The Placer County Board of Supervisors heard details Tuesday of a small-scale pilot program that will provide "Safely Out" kits to clients of the county’s In-Home Supportive Services program. The kits, purchased from the nonprofit Citizen Voice, assist first responders with quick notification if a vulnerable person needs help or has already been evacuated during a disaster.

Each kit contains a door hanger that can signal for assistance or let others know that the resident is already "safely out;" a refrigerator magnet booklet with essential contact information; a storage bag to keep spare medicines and other information in the refrigerator; a wallet information card and more.

Placer County serves 3,000 In-Home Supportive Services clients. These individuals are aged or disabled and often face additional challenges during emergency situations. Through IHSS, each client has a care provider who will assist in filling out information in the "Safely Out" kit to ensure they are safe and accounted for in an emergency.

“Fire is a significant threat to our county, and we need to do everything we can to help our most vulnerable residents get to safety during fires and a range of other disasters,” said District 4 Supervisor Kirk Uhler.

All residents are encouraged to plan ahead for disasters. Visit ready.gov to see what steps you can take to prepare your family and your neighbors for an emergency. Residents can also sign up for emergency alerts at Placer Alert.