Preparing for any disaster such as earthquakes, fires, floods
and terrorism is basically the same. It all starts with a family
emergency plan.
- Evacuation: Whether you are at home, at work, or in
a public place, think of how you could leave quickly
and safely. Locate stairways and emergency exits. Pay
attention to posted evacuation signs in buildings, subways
and crowded public areas.
- Out-of-state contact: Think how you will get in contact
with your family if you become separated. Choose an outof-state contact that your family members or friends can
call to check on each other. Provide all family members
with a paper list of important contact phone numbers.
- Meeting place: Decide where you and family members
will meet if the emergency affects your home, or if officials
have to evacuate your neighborhood.
- School plans: Know the emergency plans at your
children’s schools, and make sure the school has your
updated emergency contact information. Keep your
children’s school emergency release card current.
- Preparation for children: Teach your children what
to do in an emergency, and make sure they know their
own names and addresses, as well as the full names
and contact information for parents and a second adult
emergency contact.
Finally, review your emergency plan, and maintain an
emergency supply kit at home, at work, at school, and in
your car.
What You Can Do During
Earthquakes happen without warning and terrorists count
on surprise, fear, and confusion to add to the impact of their
actions. The initial safety actions for earthquakes and terrorist
attacks, such as bombings, are similar. Your first step when
something happens is to pause and think. Look around you
to see what is happening, and what immediate steps you can
take to protect yourself and others.
- To protect yourself, drop down; take cover under something
sturdy, and hold on to something with one hand while
protecting your head and neck with the other.
- If there is smoke, get near the floor, cover your mouth and
nose with a cloth, and move carefully toward the nearest
marked exit.
- If it is necessary to evacuate, try to do so calmly. Use only
marked exits and stairways. Never use elevators. Help others
who are moving more slowly or who may be disoriented.
If you are not directly affected by the earthquake or the attack,
try to stay calm, think before you act, encourage others, and
comfort children. Turn on news radio or television, and listen
for official instructions. Follow the directions of authorities.
What You Can Do After
Try to stay calm. Think before you act. Don’t let an earthquake
or act of terrorism cause you unnecessary harm.
- Stay informed. Listen to official reports and instructions on
the radio or television.
- If officials order an evacuation, cooperate quickly and
follow their instructions regarding evacuation routes and
shelter locations.
- If officials tell you to “Shelter in Place,” they mean for
you to stay inside your home, vehicle or workplace until
it is safe to come out. They will provide you with detailed
instructions.
- Do not leave your sheltered location or return to the
evacuated area until officials confirm that it is safe to do
so.
- Implement your family emergency plan, and notify your
out-of-state contact of your location and status.
- Be aware of the psychological impact that terrorism can
inflict, even when it happens to people you do not know
personally.
- If an earthquake has occurred, go to the California
Integrated Seismic Network at www.cisn.org to get
information about the location/magnitude/shakemap of
the earthquake.
Source: County of Los Angeles Emergency Survival Program