LB Fire Department Earthquake Preparedness

8/7/2019 LB Fire Department Earthquake Preparedness

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I am often asked two questions by residents of Long Beach when the topic ofearthquakes is discussed. “Is there an earthquake danger in our City” and “What is

being done to protect me if the big one hits?” The answers to these questionscontain both good and bad news.

The bad news is we all have chosen to live in an area that has been, and will continue to be, earthquake prone. The effect

of the 1933 earthquake along the Newport Inglewood Fault that dissects our City was severe. One hundred and twenty residents died and there was major property damage.The possibility of a major earthquake along this and other faults in our general area is real.

The good news is our City’s emergenc y planning, building code enforcement, and our ability to rapidly respond emergency services to the community have matured greatly since the devastation of 1933. Your Long Beach Fire Department is a key player in all of these efforts. To deal with the threat of a major earthquake, we have established a Disaster Management Division whose sole responsibility it is to plan for disasters

The men and women of the Long Beach Fire Department have major responsibilitiesbefore, during, and after a major event. For your protection, Long Beach Firefightersconstantly train for readiness in major medical emergencies, extrication of trapped

victims, and the possibility of large area fires, as experienced in San Francisco onmultiple occasions after their historic quakes. We need your involvement in disasterpreparedness and ask your active participation in the Community EmergencyResponse Team (CERT) program where you live.

Community Emergency Response Teams

Life safety is our number one priority, and to truly be successful, we really need yourhelp. It is imperative for our community to become disaster trained and activelyparticipate in planning for a major earthquake. We need you. Our CommunityEmergency Response Team (CERT) program is designed to help businesses andindividuals prepare, through a series of classes taught by Long Beach Firefighters.Please call the CERT hotline, 24 hours a day, (562) 570-2525, for more information.We need you on our team.

Please make the time to read and act on the vital information we have prepared for you.

Thank You…



Before a Major Earthquake – Prepare & Plan

How well you, your family and your home survive an earthquake often depends uponhow well you prepare beforehand. It is important to conduct earthquake preparednesstraining, with all family members, babysitters, and/or other household help, at least,

every six months. The following checklist will help you get started.

Knowledge is power

Learn the “SAFE SPOTS” in each room – under sturdy tables, desks, or againstinterior walls. These locations can be used as areas of refuge during a quake.

Learn the “DANGER SPOTS” within a building – near windows, mirrors, hangingobjects, fireplaces, and tall, unsecured furniture. These areas will most likely failduring an emergency.

Learn how to shut off gas, water, and electricity in case the lines are damaged.

Locate any necessary tools for these jobs near the meter and keep the area clear.

Learn first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Know the location of the nearest fire and police station. These locations will becomemajor sources of information in an emergency.

Know how to operate your fire extinguisher(s).

Inspect Your Home

Check chimneys, roofs, walls, and foundations for stability. Make sure your house isbolted to its foundation.

Secure your water heater and major appliances as well as tall, heavy furniture,hanging plants, mirrors, and picture frames – especially those over beds.

Keep breakables, heavy objects, flammable or hazardous liquids such as paints,pest sprays and cleaning products, in secured cabinets or on lower shelves.

Keep exits clear at all times.

Avoid excess storage.

Store important documents in a safety deposit box or sturdy fireproof box. Makecopies and store in a separate location.

Take photos and/or videotapes of valuables. Store them in a site well away from your city. This form of documentation will help with insurance reimbursement.



Place beds away from windows. At night, close blinds to prevent broken glass fromflying into the room in the event of a quake.

Preparation

Prepare an “EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS KIT” of essential supplies. You mustbe prepared to exist on your own for at least 3 days.

Decide how and where your family will reunite if separated during a major quake.

Choose an out-of-state friend or relative whom family members may call after thequake to report their whereabouts and conditions.

If you have a child or children in school or daycare, know their earthquake policy. Make sure your emergency contact numbers at schools and/or daycare are current.

Keep pet identification tags up to date.

Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1.

Keep shoes, flashlight, and a whistle (for sounding alarm) by your bed at night.

VERY IMPORTANT - Organize your neighborhood to be self-sufficient after aquake. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) help tremendously. Callour CERT Hotline (562) 570-2525.

During a Major Earthquake

Stay calm.

□ If indoors, stay there. Seek shelter at one of your “SAFE SPOTS.” Get under adesk or table, or stand in a corner. A major cause of quake-related injuries is fallingdebris. Stay inside until your exit path is safe from falling objects.

□ If outdoors, get into an open area away from trees, buildings, walls, and power lines.

□ If in a high-rise building, stay away from windows and outside walls. Get under atable. Do not use elevators.

□ If driving, pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses and powerlines. Stay inside your car until the shaking is over.

□ If in a crowded public place, do not rush for the doors. Crouch and cover your headand neck with your hands and arms.



After a Major Earthquake

Number One Priority – Life Safety

Check for injuries within your home and neighborhood.

If there are trapped or injured victims call 9-1-1. Do not attempt to use the telephone for other than life-threatening emergencies. If telephones are out, trya cellular phone.

Apply first aid and/or start CPR if necessary.

Be prepared for aftershocks. These additional quakes may occur soon after andfrequently.

Stay out of damaged buildings.

Inspect Your Home

If damage to your electrical system is suspected(frayed wires, sparks, or the smell of hot insulation),turn off electrical power at the main breaker or fuse box.

Check for gas, water, and sewage leaks.If there is damage, turn the utility off at the source andimmediately report gas leaks to your utility company.Check for downed power lines; warn others to stay away.

Open doors to cupboards and closets carefully. Be waryof falling objects.

□ Check your building for cracks and damage, including theroof, chimneys, and foundation.

Other Items

Turn on your portable radio for instructions and news reports.For your own safety, cooperate fully with public safety officials and follow

instructions.

□ Do not use your vehicle unless there is an emergency. Keep the streets clear for emergency equipment.

*ONLY IF YOU SMELL OR SUSPECT A

Requires gas department or certifieto turn gas back on

HOW TO SHUT OFF GAS VALVE

Gas M

Store wrench in aspecific accessible

location

Pre-adjust wrench

in case of rust

ON OFF



If you evacuate your home, leave a written message on your door telling familymembers and others where you can be found. Advise remaining neighbors.

Be careful around pets, they have been traumatized. Normally quiet and friendlycats and dogs may become aggressive or defensive. Leash dogs and place them ina fenced yard.

Eat refrigerated and frozen food first.

Emergency Preparedness Kit

We all need to be totally self-sufficient for at least 72 hours after a major earthquake. Utility service will most likely be interrupted, and public safety services, such as police and fire departments, will be busy handling serious crises. To cope with this situation, YOU must have vital supplies stored to sustain you through this initial three-day period (minimum). Be sure to include:

Food – Canned or dehydrated. Remember a can opener, cooking and eating

utensils.

Water -- One gallon per day (per person) minimum -- store in airtight containers andreplace every six months. Emergency water may be obtained from water heaters,melted ice, toilet tanks, and canned vegetables. Use iodine tablets or chlorinebleach (8 drops per gallon) to purify water as needed.

First aid kit – Extra bandaging supplies

Fire extinguisher -- Your fire extinguisher needs to be suitable for all types of fires

(A, B, & C)

Flashlights with extra batteries -- Keep flashlights beside your bed and in severalother locations. DO NOT use matches or candles after an earthquake until you are certain there are no gas leaks.

Portable radio with extra batteries -- Most telephones will be out of order or limitedto emergency use. The radio will be your best source of information.

Extra blankets or sleeping bag(s), clothing, shoes and money

Alternate cooking sources -- Store a barbecue or camping stove for outdoorcamping. CAUTION: Be sure there are no gas leaks in the area before you use any kind of fire as a cooking source, and NEVER USE CHARCOAL INDOORS.

Special items -- Have at least a one-week supply of medications and food forinfants and pets.

Extra Eye Glasses and Shoes



Sanitation Supplies - Toothpaste & brushes, soap, toilet paper, plastic trash bags

for waste or ponchos, bleach, plastic trash can, dust mask, goggles, crowbar,garden hose, and sturdy bucket.

Feminine hygiene supplies

Cleanup & Safety Tools - Heavy gloves, shovel, knife, broom, axe, adjustablewrench, pliers, screwdriver, coil half-inch rope, and duct tape.

BE SURE YOUR EMERGENCY KITS ARE PORTABLE AND EASY TO REACH.

Additional available links for which you and family, as well as businesses can become better

prepared to respond to an earthquake.

Local:City of Long Beach Resources

Fire Department – Disaster Management Bureau

http://www.longbeach.gov/fire/emergency_prep/default.asp

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

http://www.longbeach.gov/fire/cert/mission_and_purpose.asp

Police Department

http://www.longbeach.gov/police/default.asp

Department of Health & Human Services

http://www.longbeach.gov/health/default.asp

The American Red Cross – Greater Long Beach Chapter

http://www.redcrosslb.org/

County:The Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office – Office of Emergency Management

http://www.lacoa.org/

State:

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

http://www.oes.ca.gov/

Federal:

A great resource to help develop your earthquake plans and kits. – Ready America Campaign

http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/earthquakes.html

Disaster Help – Federal Emergency Management Agency

http://www.disasterhelp.gov/start.shtm

Federal Emergency Management Agency

http://www.fema.gov/

Department of Homeland Security
































http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm

U.S. Geological Survey – Specific earthquake information and maps.

http://www.usgs.gov/







Documents

LB Fire Department Earthquake Preparedness