City of Lomita
 
 
   
   
   

 

Preparing for a Disaster

There are severeral significant emergencies that could befall the Lomita community: fire, chemical spill, terrorism, but the most frightening and immediate emergency is likely to come from earthquakes. This page talks about earthquakes and preparation for the disruption that would be caused by a major seismic event. Issues relating to terrorism are elaborated on the "Terrorism" page, linked above and here.

Earthquake Threat

Earthquake MapEarthquakes can happen anywhere, but our area is especially susceptible and unique. Check out the map on the right.

This map shows relative earthquake shaking hazards in the United States and Puerto Rico. During a 50-year time period, the probability of strong shaking increases from very low (white), to moderate (blue, green, and yellow), to high (orange, pink, and red).  It is clear that we are in one of the more vulnerable areas.    Map source: USGS

A sobering simulation of the effects of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the Los Angeles area can be seen in the following link. Although the full extent of the damage of such a quake cannot be predicted with total accuracy, it is safe to say that there will be major disruption to communication and transportation. Furthermore the first responders: fire, police and medical will be stretched to the limit and possibly incapacitated themselves.

Recent estimates have indicated that after a major earthquake, communities in Southern California will have to depend on their own resources for at least 3 days and possibly as much as 2 weeks. Part of the CERT Training course covers the basics of preparedness.

Community Based Preparedness

Community-based preparedness planning allows us to prepare for and respond to anticipated disruptions and potential hazards following a disaster. As individuals, we can prepare our homes and families to cope during that critical period. Through pre-event planning, neighborhoods and worksites can also work together to help reduce injuries, loss of lives, and property damage. Neighborhood preparedness will enhance the ability of individuals and neighborhoods to reduce their emergency needs and to manage their existing resources until professional assistance becomes available.

Studies of behavior following disasters have shown that groups working together in the disaster period perform more effectively if there has been prior planning for disaster response. These studies show that organized grassroots efforts may be more successful if they are woven into the social and political fabric of the community-neighborhood associations, schools, workplaces, places of worship, and other existing organizations.

Effective response therefore requires comprehensive planning and coordination of all who will be involved-government, volunteer groups, private businesses, schools, and community organizations. With training and information, individuals and community groups can be prepared to serve as a crucial resource capable of performing many of the emergency functions needed in the immediate post-disaster period. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is designed to help communities prepare for effective disaster response through training and planning.

Personal Preparedness

If you have not already done so, now would be a very good time to prepare yourself and your family for any major emergency. You should truly consider being able to be self-sustaining for at least 72-hours.

Some things that you need to consider keeping in your emergency kit are:

  • Emergency contact information for you and your family

    Establish a connection point with a family member or friend who lives outside the State of California. Keep that number and all important numbers in your supply kit. Be sure to share the contact's phone number with everyone in the family. Here is the Homeland Security Communication Plan pro-forma pdf.
  • Medical prescriptions and items such as a spare pair of glasses
  • Emergency food and water
  • Cash readily available (in small denominations)
  • A plan for your family

    More information on assembling an emergency kit can be found here,  here and here.

  • As an example of just how inventive you can be with everyday items, look at what it is possible to do with trash bags here.

To help yourself and the community take a few minutes to complete the survey linked here. If you have any relevant useful skills or equipment please send a copy of your survey to Lomita CERT as indicated at the Contact Us page.

If you are a licensed amateur radio operator (Ham) who desires to serve the community, the ham radio will back up the Fire Department's 800-MHz radio system and provide radio support to CERT members, their families, and their Battalion Coordinators, please contact Lomita CERT or the Los Angeles County Fire Department directly.


Below are additional links that will help you prepare:

http://www.espfocus.org
ESP Focus is the Emergency Survival Program that Los Angeles County developed for disaster preparedness.

http://www.ready.gov
Ready.gov is the emergency/disaster preparedness website developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

http://www.redcross.org
American Red Cross is a great resource for emergency/disaster preparedness information.

http://www.oes.ca.gov/Operational/OESHome.nsf/ALL/7A43A30DB8F1F1CA88256FE90079CEB6?OpenDocument
State of California Office of Emergency Services - Day of Preparedness, disaster planning for the public.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/prepared/
FEMA/NIOSH link for business emergency preparedness planning.


Surviving Heat Emergencies - Click here to download brochure

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/ - Click here for more health information