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Earthquake Preparedness
Before An Emergency Strikes
In Alameda County, our major types of emergency and disaster incidents can include earthquakes, floods, wildland fires, power outages, mass casualty incidents, civil disturbances, public health emergencies, and impacts from northern California terrorism. Any of these incidents can leave families, individuals, and facilities isolated and without power, water, or transportation for many days.
To be ready for emergencies, we recommend that you find out more about individual, family, neighborhood, and business preparedness. By preparing to help each other after a major emergency, we can all do our part to be survivors and help the community recover faster.
Creating Your Family and Neighborhood Emergency Plans
Emergencies may happen when you and your family members are away from home, so familiarize yourself with plans at your workplace, school, or daytime location. After creating a household and neighborhood emergency plan, take the time to review it with your family and neighbors every six months. Emergency plans should include:
Meet with household members to discuss the dangers and your response to possible emergency events
Teach adults how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at main switches
Designate an out-of-state contact person who all family members will call if they become separated
Learn how to use fire extinguishers and first aid supplies
Have a battery powered or hand crank AM/FM radio or TV
Identify a meeting place where your family and others in the neighborhood can meet to account for everyone and treat injuries
Take a basic first aid and CPR class (Contact American Red Cross for more information)
Keep family records in a water and fireproof safe (Inexpensive models can be purchased at most hardware stores). Keep copies of important documents and supplies in a “go kit” in case you need to evacuate quickly
Have sufficient cash on hand as the banks and ATMs may not be functioning for several days
Assemble or purchase your home, car, and office emergency preparedness kits for survival
Have emergency water supplies at home, in the car, and at the office
If forced to evacuate, take your pets and enough food, water, & medicines for them
Use camping supplies if needed for cooking and shelter if power is out, but do not grill or light fires indoors
Check for gas leaks before lighting matches or fires
Wear sturdy shoes or boots to avoid getting cut by debris
Consider throwing a “block party” to organize your neighborhood or business neighborhood for emergencies
After an earthquake: treat family and neighborhood injuries, check utilities and shut off if needed, stabilize your household and neighborhood, share food and water supplies.
Alameda County/Bay Area Emergency Alert Radio Stations (Where to listen for emergency information) KCBS – 740 AM – News KQED – 88.5 FM – News & Information
Major Bay Area Television Stations
KAXT TV 1 KGO TV 7 KDTV TV 14 (Univision) KTVU TV 2 KQED TV 9 KFTL TV 28 KRON TV 4 KNTV TV 11 KSTS TV 48 (Telemundo) KPIX TV 5 KBCW TV 12 KKPX TV 65
Emergency Notification
Emergency Alert System (EAS): Alameda County and its jurisdictions have access to the Emergency Alert System, a partnership with local media in which emergency messages are broadcast to the public, giving emergency instructions for residents and visitors over local and regional media outlets. Official EAS radio stations are KCBS 740 AM & KQED 88.5 FM AC Alert Mass Notification System: Alameda County has joined with our City partners to develop a unified mass notification system to alert the public, businesses, and responders of community and emergency public information for emergencies and disaster that will provide instructions and protective action information. You can sign up to receive AC Alert notifications at: www.acalert.org
Shelter-In-Place
Shelter-in-place means to take immediate shelter wherever you are to avoid harm. In the event of a chemical spill or release, you may be instructed to remain indoors and shut off outside air intake to avoid harmful fumes that may have been dispersed into the air. Listen to local radio and TV for emergency instructions. Have your emergency supplies ready.
Evacuation
If evacuation becomes necessary due to an emergency situation, you will be instructed to leave your home and neighborhood and to seek a safe location. Shelter sites and evacuation routes will be designated. Listen to local radio and TV for emergency instructions. Take your emergency supply “go kit” with you. For more information on Emergency Preparedness for Alameda County residents, neighborhoods, and business facilities
contact the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Services at 925-803-7996 or email [email protected] View our preparedness website at: ready.acgov.org
Emergency Drinking Water
Hidden Water Sources in Your Home
For more information on Emergency Preparedness for Alameda County residents, neighborhoods, and business facilities contact the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Services at 925-803-7996
or email [email protected] View our preparedness web site at: ready.acgov.org
If an earthquake or disaster occurs and you do not have enough stored clean water, you can use the water in your hot-water tank, pipes, and ice cubes. A hot water tank typically has about 30 to 50 gallons of water. You should not use water in the toilet tank, toilet bowls, radiators, waterbeds, or swimming pools/spas because of bacteria and chemicals.
Do you know the location of your incoming water valve? You may need to shut it off to prevent contaminated water from entering your home if you hear reports of broken water or sewage lines or a failure at the water treatment plant.
To use the water in your pipes, shut off the incoming water valve. Let air into the plumbing by turning on the faucet in your house at the highest level. A small amount of water will trickle out. Then obtain water from the lowest faucet in the house.
To use the water in your hot-water tank, be sure that plumbing fixtures and the water heater are not submerged by flood waters. Turn the electricity or gas off and turn off the water intake valve. Start the water flowing by opening the drain at the bottom of the tank and turning on a hot-water faucet. Do not turn on the gas or electricity when the tank is empty. If gas is turned off, do not attempt to turn it back on yourself. A representative from the gas company should do that to ensure safety.
Water is the most important resource you need to survive after an earthquake. Store and rotate at least four cases of bottled water in your home, two in the trunk of your vehicle, and two at your work or day location. You will be prepared no matter where you are when the disaster strikes. Many large stores carry cases of six 1 gallon bottles of water good for at least two years. Have one of these for every person in the household and extra for pets and guests. Without enough water most people will dehydrate and may not survive. You will need enough water to get through at least one week following an earthquake or emergency. One gallon of water per person per day is the rule, and extra for pets and visitors.
Ways to Treat Water for Safe Consumption
Boiling – This is the safest process to treat water in a post disaster period. Use a large pot or kettle, boil water for at least one minute after boiling process begins. Allow to cool before drinking.
Chlorination – Use household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 to 6.0 % of sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented or color safe bleaches, or those with added cleaners. Because the potency of liquid bleach diminishes, use only bleach from a newly opened or unopened bottle. Use 16 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of liquid bleach per gallon of water, stir, and let stand 30 minutes. The water should have a slight odor of bleach. If not, repeat the dosage and process and let stand another 15 minutes. If no smell of bleach, discard the water and find another source.
Emergency Filtration – Consider purchasing emergency water filters. You can keep one at home, one in your vehicle, and one at the office. Water purification tablets are another option.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web page has more information on emergency water: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/water/
Emergency Preparedness Kits
Emergency Preparedness Kits should be made or purchased for your home, car, and office to provide food, water, tools, and medical supplies for a minimum of 3-5 days following an earthquake or other major community disaster. You may be without water, electricity, phones and utilities for a week or more. Families, neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and other facilities need to be ready to survive on their own and help those around them. Help to stabilize your neighborhood or work location by treating injuries and turning off utilities, if required.
Paper Towels Toilet Tissue
Sanitary Napkins Facial Tissue
First Aid Kit Cloth Strips - Medicines
Extra Glasses Extra Cash
Pencils, Pens, Paper Important
Documents Books
Toothpaste Toothbrush Bar Soap Shampoo
Liquid Cleaner Liquid Bleach Other Hygiene
Scissors Plastic Utensils
Manual Can Opener AM/FM Radio
Tools Pry Bar
Gas Shut Off Tool
Flashlights Batteries Matches Candles
Duct Tape Whistle
Work Gloves
Blankets Extra Shoes/Clothes Towels - Sweaters
Sterno Stove - Canned Sterno Cooking Pot - String, Wire
Aluminum Foil - Plastic Dishes Bags (Food & Trash)
Emergency Water Filter
Non-Perishable Food: Canned Foods - Nutrition Bars
Boxed Juices - Vitamins Peanut Butter - Boxed Foods Candy, Nuts, Dried Fruits &
Crackers
Bottled Water - 1-gallon per person per day (store separately)
Sample Home Preparedness Kit
in see-through plastic bin
(Plastic garbage cans, duffel bags, or backpacks may also
be used)
Alameda County Sheriff’s
Office of Homeland Security &
Emergency Services 4985 Broder Boulevard
Dublin, CA 94568 925-803-7996
For more information on Emergency Preparedness for Alameda County residents, neighborhoods, and business facilities, contact the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Services at 925-803-
7996 or email [email protected] View our preparedness website at: ready.acgov.org
Emergency Kit Content Suggestions
Sign Up for Alerts with the AC Alert System
AC Alert is the new Mass Notification System for Alameda County.
The AC Alert database currently has over 1 million commercially available home & business phone
listings and over 50,000 opt-in and Nixle subscribers in Alameda County.
AC Alert Opt-in subscribers are able to provide additional contact paths to ensure they are notified
in the event of an emergency, including cell phones, home & work phones, and email addresses.
In addition, participating jurisdiction offer subscription based community advisory alert topics,
which opt-in subscribers can sign up to receive.
AC Alert is capable of sending notifications to all Nixle subscribers in Alameda County.
AC Alert is also able to post messages to social media pages (Facebook and Twitter).
The County and its City Partners will be able to create unlimited Notification Groups, allowing call
out notifications to be sent directly to special teams such as Hazardous Materials Responders, EOC
Staff, Search & Rescue Teams, SWAT, Bomb Squad, CERT, Amateur Radio volunteers and others.
We encourage all residents and employees of Alameda County and our Cities to sign up to receive alerts
on various Opt-in Topics for Cities and the County by registering at www.acalert.org
For more information on the AC Alert System, please contact:
