One positive thing to come out of the recent Ridgecrest earthquakes is the preparedness discussions we are having in the event of a major seismic event hitting our city. There are multiple resources that will help advise you on how to best make sure you are ready, including the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department website.
Here’s what EMD recommends in their recent earthquake preparedness post:
Make a Plan
Create a disaster plan for your family so that you know what you will do and how you will communicate in an emergency. Your plan should include family members with disabilities, children and pets. Pick two places to meet: right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire, and outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Ask a friend or family member who lives in a different state to be your “Out-of-State contact.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. To keep track of your loved ones after an earthquake, everyone can reach out to that Out-Of-State contact via a phone call or text message and tell the Out-Of-State contact their location and status.
Make a Kit
Create a disaster kit for your household with water, food, first aid and other supplies and equipment you might need. Keep in mind any special items that are needed for older adult family members, children, and even your pets. Once disaster hits, you won’t have time to shop or search for supplies. If you have gathered supplies in advance, your family can be ready to shelter in place, even if utilities are down. Tips on making a plan and gathering supplies can be found at the Emergency Management Department’s Family Readiness website.
Prepare With Your Neighborhood
You can also help strengthen your neighborhood’s ability to respond. Sign up for a “Ready Your LA Neighborhood”, or RYLAN Workshop, and you will learn how to organize your neighborhood to help each other after a major disaster like an earthquake. This is a free program available for City of LA residents. Learn more about RYLAN and sign up for a workshop by visiting the RYLAN website.
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