Thank You for Preparing

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There's a lot of information  below. Do whatever is easiest first. Anything is better than nothing. If you can prepare with friends, you will prepare further!

Stay Safe

Key Objectives

* Stay informed of emergencies as they arise

* Mitigate potential hazards in your home to minimize the risk of injury

* Take the correct actions during and immediately after an earthquake to protect yourself and your property

Resources and Suggestions

~ Identify your local risks by typing your address into the MyHazards engine. Unless you live in the Central Valley, you likely live in an area of high earthquake risk. 

~ Receive timely emergency notifications by signing up for your county's Wireless Emergency Alerts. 

~ Identify potential hazards in your home and purchase the appropriate straps to anchor furniture. 

~ Ensure that your water heater is firmly secured to the structure of your home. 

~ Identify the safest place in each room of your home in the event of an earthquake. Preferably away from windows, clear of items that could potentially fall, or below a table/desk if possible). Run regular earthquake drills with your family. 

~ Download a reputable ShakeAlert^TM Earthquake Early Warning app so that you can receive precious seconds of warning before the shaking hits. 

~ Refer to the guidance of your local gas company on when and whether to shutoff your gas after an earthquake. (Your home may have a Northridge valve, which would automatically shut it off.) If you choose to shut it off, don't turn it back on yourself. Hide a gas shutoff tool near your gas meter. 

Create Your Emergency Plan

Key Objectives

* Develop an emergency communication strategy with your loved ones

* Assign responsibilities for gathering and caring for vulnerable loved ones like children,  aging relatives and pets

*Determine where you might reunify if your home, neighborhood or city becomes unsafe

Resources and Suggestions

~ For your family emergency plan, download the Creating Your Emergency Plan

~ For apartment considerations, refer to the BC Prepared Guide for Apartments, Condos and Townhouses.

~ For your neighborhood, organize your neighbors using the the Map Your Neighborhood program.

~ Choose a central point of contact outside of your local hazard zone. Texting will likely be more reliable than voice communications after a large event. Keep a battery or crank powered radio in your kit.

Equip Yourself 

Key Objectives

* Be prepared to quickly evacuate should danger approach

* Be equipped to shelter in place at home without utilities and services during a widespread disaster

* Be ready for events that could occur without warning when you're outside of your home

Resources and Suggestions

~ Download the Building Your Emergency Kit guide.

~ Choose a container that is portable and durable. This container is similar to the one the presenter uses for his home. Store in a place that is free of falling hazards, accessible, and secure from possible theft. Sheds, car trunks and main-story closets are good options. Don't store in the basement or attic. If you camp, put all your camping items near or in the kit. 

~ Each member of your household needs one gallon of water per day for drinking, eating, and basic sanitation needs. In California, the recommendation is at least 3 gallons per person. WaterBricks are a good option if your space is limited. (Your pets need water, too).

~ Be sure to properly prepare, store and replenish your emergency drinking water.

~ Have at least three days of shelf-stable food (9 meals) per person in your home. In the event of an emergency, eat perishables first, then your emergency foods. 

~ After a major event like an earthquake, the toilets likely won't work. Put together an emergency 2-bucket toilet system. 

~ If you rely on prescription medications, this too should be stockpiled should your doctor and pharmacy be unavailable. 

Additional Resources

& 

Answers to Audience Questions

~ Inspire yourself and others to begin their preparedness journey with this TED Talk

~ Earthquake Country Alliance - Lots of highly specific, in-depth and earthquake-specific resources

~ California Office of Emergency Services - All hazards preparedness resources

~ Get involved with your local Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) in San Francisco or Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Los Angeles

~ "BART uses earthquake information from ShakeAlert to protect our riders, workers and infrastructure by triggering automated actions, like slowing trains to prevent potential derailment." BART Director John McPartland

~ Loose, silty soils tend to shake more intensely than bedrock. Because of its proximity to major fault lines and the preponderance of loose soils, the shaking in the Bay Area will be quite intense. The shaking intensity of the 1906 earthquake can be seen here. To understand the intensities described on a map like this, refer to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. Likewise, Los Angeles sits on deep and loose soils, consideration of which led the USGS to increase LA's shaking risk in their latest hazard map. 

~ And for the person who asked the presenter to name his favorite kit item, he's a fan of the Goal Zero flashlight. It's a plug in light that can also be solar charged, it's super bright and it can change your cellphone to boot. Super sturdy.