Earthquake
Preparedness
The massive devastation caused by Hurricane
Katrina reminded us that natural disasters
can strike at any time. We must examine what
went right and what went wrong with the emergency
response to Katrina. Officials who failed
to heed warnings or respond appropriately
must be held accountable. More importantly,
we must make cure that we are better prepared
for future natural disasters.
It is important for residents of the San
Fernando Valley to remember how vulnerable
we are to earthquakes. Many Valley residents
have vivid memories of the destruction caused
by the Northridge earthquake in 1994. Fifty-seven
lives were lost and more than $20 billion
dollars in property damage resulted from those
ten seconds of violent shaking. Thankfully,
the governmental response was far more competent
than we have seen recently in Louisiana and
Mississippi.
When calamity strikes, good preparation can
help mitigate the damage caused, keep loved
ones safe, and make it easier for our emergency
services to respond effectively.
Here are some preparations those of us in
earthquake country can make today to help
make our homes and families safer.
-Know Your Home
• Identify “safe places”
in each room of your house – under a
robust table/desk or against an inside wall.
• Practice “Drop, Cover, and
Hold On!” drills in each room with your
family.
• Know all the potential exits to your
home.
• Plan a meeting location outside of
the home for your family.
• Make sure you know how to turn off
your home’s water, gas and electricity.
If you do not know how, visit the Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power website
or call them at 818/342-5397.
-Reduce Hazards in Your Home:
• Bolt all tall furniture like bookcases
to wall studs.
• Strap the water heater to wall studs.
• Install strong latches on cabinets.
• Secure any other items that might
fall like lamps or televisions.
-Pack Emergency Supplies in an Accessible
Location and Include:
• Water, canned food and non-electric
can opener .
• First aid kit and medication.
• Protective clothing, sturdy shoes
and sleeping bags.
• Flashlight, portable radio and extra
batteries.
• Cash and credit cards.
• Extra keys.
-Friends and Family
• Store copies of important documents
and records with a friend or relative in a
different state.
• Ask a friend or relative in a different
state to act as your family’s emergency
contact – someone each family member
can call if you are separated in an emergency.
If you want to learn more about what you
can do to prepare for earthquakes, here are
some helpful links:
The
Earthquake Preparedness Handbook by the Los
Angeles City Fire Department
The
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
The American
Red Cross
California
Office of Emergency Services
The Southern
California Earthquake Center
Los
Angeles Department of Water and Power Earthquake
Survival Guide
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