City of Watsonville Public Works - Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness

The next time disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. Prepare now for a sudden emergency. Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead. Discuss these ideas with your family, then prepare an emergency plan. Post the plan where everyone will see it - on the refrigerator or bulletin board.

For additional information about how to prepare for hazards in you community contact the County office of Emergency Services at (831)454-2282, and the American Red Cross Chapter at (831)462-2281. For local information during an declared emergency please call the City of Watsonville Emergency Information Line at (831)768-3038.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross are pleased to provide you with this information. FEMA's Emergency Public Information Program and the American Red Cross's Disaster Education Program are nationwide efforts to increase the ability of citizens to respond. For more information please contact the County Office of Emergency services at 454-2282, your local American Red Cross chapter at 462-2881, or visit the FEMA website at www.fema.gov .

Or write to:

FEMA
P O Box 70274
Washington, DC 20024

Request Item #8-0908 "Are You Ready", H-34

Check List	Escape Plan	Home Hazards
Evacuate	Fire Safety	Flash Flood
Create Emerg Plan
Check List Find out which disasters could occur in your area. Ask how to prepare for each disaster. Learn your community's evacuation routes. Ask about special assistance for elder or disabled persons. Ask your workplace about emergency plans. Learn about emergency plans for your children's school or day care. Create an Emergency Plan Meet with household members. Discuss with children the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes, floods and other emergencies. Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries. Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from your room. Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches. Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones. Teach children how and when to call 911, Police and Fire. Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information. pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area). Teach children how to make long distance telephone calls. Pick two meeting places: 1. A place near your home in case of disaster; 2. A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster. Take a basic first aid and CPR class. Remember to keep family records in a water and fire-proof container.
Escape Plan In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate your house, apartment, or mobile home in a moment's notice. You should be ready to get out fast. Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Using a black or blue pen, show the location of doors, windows, stairways, and large furniture. Indicate the location of emergency supplies (Disaster Supplies Kit), fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, first aid kits and utility shut off points. Next, use a colored pen to draw a broken line charting at least two escape routes from each room. Finally, mark a place outside of the house where household members should meet in case of fire or other emergency. Be sure to include important points outside such as garages, patios, stairways, elevators, driveways and porches. If you home has more than two floors, use an additional sheet of paper. Practice emergency evacuation drills with all household members at least two times a year.
Home Hazards In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a potential hazard. Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. Fasten shelves securely. Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves. Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds. Brace overhead light fixtures. Secure water heater. Strap to wall studs. Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations. Store weed killers, pesticides and flammable products away from heat source. Place oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans. Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors and gas vents.
Evacuate Listen to a battery powered radio for the location of emergency shelters. Follow instructions of local officials. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes. Take your Disaster Supplies Kit. Don't forget to take your prescription medications with you. Lock you house. Use travel routes specified by local officials. If you are sure you have time:Shut off water, gas and electricity, if instructed to do so. Let others know when you left and where you are going. Make arrangements for pets. Animals may not be allowed in public shelters. Prepare an emergency car kit, be sure to include: Battery powered radio and flashlight and extra batteries. Blanket, tire repair kit and pump. Jumper cables, maps, shovel, flares Fire extinguisher (5lb., A-B-C type) First aid kit and manual Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter.
Fire Safety Plan two escape routes out of each room. Teach family members to stay low to the ground when escaping from a fire. Teach family members never to open doors that are hot. In a fire feel the bottom of the door with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Find another way out. Install smoke detectors. Clean and test smoke detectors twice a year. Change batteries at least twice a year. (Use the Day Light Savings time change as a reminder) Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken household members in case of fire. Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets. Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor. Consider installing home sprinklers. Purchase a fire extinguisher (5lb. A-B-C type).
Flash Flood Are you ready for a flood or flash flood? Here is what you can do in such emergencies: Know what to expect Know your area's flood risk - if unsure call your local American Red Cross Chapter at (831)462-2281. If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood. Floods can take several hours to days to develop Flash floods can take only a few minutes to a few hours to develop A flash flood WATCH means flash flooding is possible in your area. A flash flood WARNING means a flash flood is occurring or will occur very soon. Prepare a Home Flood Plan Check your homeowner's or renter's insurance to see if it covers flooding. If not, find out how to get flood insurance. Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box. Assemble a flood safety kit containing the following: First Aid Kit Canned food and a non-electric can opener Bottled water Rubber boots and rubber gloves Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Chose several places; a friend's home in another town, a motel or a shelter. When a flood WATCH is issued: Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home. Fill your car's gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued. When a flood WARNING is issued: Listen to local radio and television stations for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible. When a flash flood WATCH is issued: Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice. Or if you think a flash flood has already started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly! Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades, they are there for your safety. If you car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.