Disaster Preparedness

In the wake of large-scale disasters throughout the world the Pasadena Fire Department reminds residents to be prepared for the type of disasters and
emergencies that could affect Southern California.

This special booklet includes tips and other information to help you, your family, neighbors and coworkers prepare for disasters and emergencies. After you have gone over all of the information, keep this booklet in a place where you can get to it easily, such as the front of your refrigerator.

Make a Plan

Planning ahead is the first step to a calmer and more assured disaster response.

Talk – Discuss with your family the types of disasters and emergencies that can happen in this region, including major earthquakes, wildfires and terrorism. Establish responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.

Plan – It will be important for everyone in your family to get to a safe place and find each other. Choose two places to meet after a disaster or emergency:

• In case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire, plan to meet right outside your home.
• If you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate, plan to meet just outside of your neighborhood.

Learn the post-disaster policies of your children’s day care center or school. Don’t forget about pets. The Pasadena Humane Society works with the American Red Cross and the city of Pasadena to provide some emergency shelter for animals. Call the Humane Society in advance so you have a full understanding of this program. If you are not able to shelter your animals with the Humane Society, ask friends or relatives in advance to provide shelter. Make sure your neighbors know your plan and that you know theirs.

Learn – Each adult in your household should learn how and when to turn off utilities such as electricity, water and gas. Ask someone at the Fire Department to show you how to use the fire extinguisher in your home.

Check Supplies – Review your disaster supplies and replace water and food every six months. If your household uses cordless phones, be sure to have a hard-wire phone on hand in case electricity goes out.

Tell – Let everyone in your household know where emergency contact information is kept. Make copies for everyone to carry with them in purses, briefcases, glove compartments or school backpacks. Be sure to include an out-of-town contact; it may be easier to call out of the area if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Keep the information updated.

Practice – Have a household evacuation drill in your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are impassable or gridlocked. Practice earthquake and fire drills.

Build a Kit

What you have on hand when a disaster strikes can make a big difference.
Plan to store enough supplies for at least three days for everyone in your household, including any necessary items for infants, seniors and people with disabilities.

kiy • Water – Store at least one gallon per person per day.
• Food – Pack non-perishable, high-protein items including energy bars, ready-to-eat soup, peanut butter, etc. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
• Flashlight – Be sure to include extra batteries.
• First Aid Kit – Include bandages, sterile gloves, antibiotic ointment and first aid instructions.
• Battery-operated Radio – Include extra batteries
• Tools – Pack a wrench to turn off gas if necessary, manual can opener, screwdriver, hammer, pliers, pocket knife, whistle in case you become buried in rubble, extra keys to your house and vehicle, plastic sheeting and duct tape to protect against biochemicals, and garbage bags with ties in case there are no usable toilets.
• Clothing – Store a change of clothes for everyone in the family, including sturdy shoes and gloves.
• Personal Items – Remember eyeglasses or contact lenses and solution; copies of important papers including ID cards, insurance policies, birth certificates, passports, etc.; and comfort items for children such as plush animals and photographs; be sure to have extra prescribed medications.
• Sanitary Supplies – Be sure to include toilet paper, towelettes, feminine supplies, personal hygiene items, unscented liquid bleach, etc.
• Money – Keep small denominations of cash. ATMS, gas pumps and credit cards won’t work if the power is out. Be sure to keep quarters in your kit to use in pay phones, which may be more reliable than cell phones during a disaster.
• Contact Information – Carry a current list of family phone numbers and email addresses. Be sure to include someone from out of the area who may be easier to reach if local phone lines are out of service or overloaded.
• Pet Supplies – Include food, water, leash, litter box or plastic bags, ID tags, medications and vaccination information.
• Map – Consider marking an evacuation route from your neighborhood.

Store your disaster supplies in a sturdy but easy-to-carry container such as a large backpack or duffel bag. Replace certain supplies, such as water and food, every six months. Keep a smaller version of the kit in your vehicle. If you become stranded or are not able to return home, having some items with you will help you be more comfortable until help arrives.

Earthquake!

Earthquakes are the most common major disasters in this region. Go over these tips with your family and coworkers and be sure to follow them during a major quake.

During an earthquake:

If you are indoors:

• Drop to the floor.
• Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture or next to an interior wall, away from windows
and mirrors. Cover your head and neck with your arms.
• Hold on to a sturdy piece of furniture and be prepared to move with it.
• Stay where you are until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit. Use caution when existing buildings.
• Never take an elevator during or after an earthquake.

If you are outside:

• Find a clear spot away from buildings, trees and power lines.
• Drop to the ground.

If you are in a car:

• Slow down and drive to a clear place.
• Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

After an earthquake:

• After the shaking stops, check yourself and others for injuries.
• Give first aid for serious injuries
• Turn off the gas only if you smell gas.
• Listen to the radio for instructions.
• Expect aftershocks.
• Check your phones to be sure they have not shaken off the hook and are tying up a line.
• Inspect your home for damage.

More Information

The city’s website has been updated with expanded emergency preparedness information. Go to www.cityofpasadena.net and click on Emergency Preparedness. If you do not have Internet access, you may use computers at Pasadena Central Library and all branches at no charge.

Pasadena Fire Department’s Emergency Management Office can be reached at
(626) 744-7276 or lderderian@cityofpasadena.net.

Take A Free Course

Are you, your family, neighborhood and business ready for the next disaster? The Fire Department is offering free Pasadena Emergency Response Team (PERT) training classes designed for neighborhood groups, business associations and/or community-based organizations.

While the Pasadena Fire Department’s goal is to respond to emergencies within five minutes, the gulf coast hurricanes proved this could be out of the question after a major disaster. If you and your family are able-bodied, you are your own first responders and may have to be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours.

PERT teaches you disaster preparedness, first aid, fire suppression and light search and rescue.

At the conclusion of the course you’ll have the skills you need to help your family and neighbors and you will receive a certificate and official PERT safety hat.

To schedule a class for your group, email lderderian@cityofpasadena.net or call
(626) 744-7276.

The Communicator

The Communicator notification program can automatically call all households and businesses within specific areas during or after a disaster or emergency. If you receive an automated call, you may be given instructions about specific shelters that have been opened, evacuation routes, etc. If phone lines are down, emergency vehicles will canvas residential neighborhoods and business areas to provide instructions via public address systems; or, if necessary, workers will go door-to-door to give residents vital information.

Emergency Management in Pasadena

Every three years, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services requires all municipalities in California to update their disaster management plans. These "Multihazard Functional Response Plans" must outline steps that will be taken to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

Pasadena's plan covers extraordinary situations associated with large-scale natural and man made disasters, homeland security incidents and more. It is designed to be read, understood and practiced by specific city staff and community agencies as they prepare for such events.

Once the final plan has been presented to the City Council, copies will be available for viewing at all Pasadena public libraries, Neighborhood Connections and at www.cityofpasadena.net (click on Emergency Preparedness).

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2006

City Seal 117 E. Colorado Blvd.
P.O. Box 7115 Pasadena CA 91109-7215
Published by the City of Pasadena Public Affairs Office
E-mail: aerdman@cityofpasadena.net (626) 744-4755
City web site: www.cityofpasadena.net
Mayor: Bill Bogaard.
Councilmembers: Joyce Streator, Paul Little,
Chris Holden, Steve Haderlein, Victor Gordo,
Steve Madison, Sid Tyler.

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