Emergency Preparedness

While everyone hopes disasters never occur, being prepared for emergencies lessens their impact. It is the goal of this website to provide the knowledge to prepare ourselves, our loved ones and our environments so we are able to respond confidently during a disaster.

Earthquake Safety

In the San Francisco Bay Area, we live with the threat of earthquakes every day. Whether you are in your home, in a classroom, a high-rise or other type of building, it is important to know how to protect yourself. Practice what to do during an earthquake and teach yourself and your family members to react automatically. If you are outdoors, get into an open area. If you are indoors, follow these steps: DUCK, COVER, and HOLD. Stay inside until the shaking is over.

BEFORE an emergency occurs, inspect your work and home area to identify potential hazards. Experience with earthquakes has shown that injuries from falling or sliding equipment and furniture occur even during moderate earthquakes . Make sure bookcases and filing cabinets over four feet tall are secured as they may topple over. Be aware of your surroundings.

Emergency Equipment and Supplies

You should develop an emergency plan and prepare an emergency kit consisting of: emergency food and water, flashlights and batteries, battery operated AM/FM radio with batteries, first aid kits, and any other necessary supplies. It is estimated that we could be on our own for at least 72 hours after a major incident such as an earthquake. Taking the time to assemble an emergency survival kit for you and members of your family could prove very useful. Suggestions for your personal emergency supply kit are:

• Drinking water
• Blanket, pillow
• Books, playing cards, etc.
• Band-Aids and other first aid supplies
• Flashlight (with batteries) or light sticks
• Eating utensils, paper plates, cups, can opener
• Quarters for pay phones and out-of-town contact phone numbers
• All foods should be water packed and low-salt whenever possible
• Daily medications, extra eyeglasses and/or contact lens and supplies
• Canned foods such as fruit, juice, canned meats or pastas, soups
• Change of clothes, walking shoes( tennis shoes) with socks, warm jacket
• Safety pins, whistle, pocket knife, toothpaste/toothbrush, shampoo, soap, towel, wash cloth
• Snack foods such as: graham crackers, granola bars, candy bars, dry cereal, raisins or energy snacks

Resources