Earthquake Safety452nd AMDSThomas Parish, Major, BSC, USAFR

Seismic Danger Zones

CaliforniasMajorFaultLines

Family ReadinessCreate a family Earthquake planKnow the safe spot in each roomKnow the danger spotsDecide where your family will reunite if separatedKeep a list of emergency phone numbersDevelop a survival kit for work, car, and home

Home PreparednessLearn how to shut off gas, water, and electricityCheck chimneys, roofs, and wall foundations for stabilitySecure heavy furnishingsSecure water heater and appliancesKeep heavy objects on lower shelvesMaintain emergency food, water, medicine, first aid kit, tools, and clothing

Emergency SuppliesFirst Aid supplies Band-Aids antibiotic ointment latex gloves cold/hot packs ace bandages arm sling Tylenol or Advil diarrhea medicationEquipment work gloves shovel tents sleeping bags ready to eat foods clothing radio, flashlights CASH

Emergency FoodCamp or backpacking stove propane tankCanned foods manual can openerMREsGranola barsEnergy bars

Safe Drinking WaterStore a supply of water 1 and 5 gallon containers do not store on concretePurifying tap water 8 drops bleach per gal of water add bleach when storing or, boil for 10 minutesWater from water heater turn off gas or electric turn off cold water supply once cooled, drain at bottomOther sources toilet storage tank melted ice cubes water trapped in pipes

During an EarthquakeStay away from windows, bookcases, file cabinets, heavy mirrors, and other heavy objects that could fallDuck under a desk or sturdy tableWatch for falling plaster or ceiling tilesStay undercover until the shaking stops, and hold onto your coverIf the desk or table you are under moves move with itIf in your car, stop, but not on a bridge, or under trees or a power lineIf outside, stay outside, and move to an area clear of overhead trees, power lines, or objects that could fall from a structureDont forget about aftershocks

After The EarthquakeBe prepared for aftershocks, plan for cover when they occurCheck for injuries, give first aid as necessaryRemain calm, try to reassure othersWear shoes to avoid injury from broken glassCheck for fire and take appropriate actionsCheck gas, water, and electric linesTune to emergency broadcast system on radio

How to Shut Off Utilities

Gas Shutoff

Water Shutoff

Electricity Shutoff

452nd AMDS, MARCH ARBAll Clinic Personnel and Patients Muster at parking lot, north side of building Supervisors take a head countForm triage teams and provide first aidSearch team for missing personnelContact Medical Command Post Provide assistance as needed

Thanks to:

LA County Fire DepartmentandUS Geologic Survey

This map shows seismic danger zones in the U.S. Earthquake risk is color coded, with white areas being the least likely to have an earthquake, followed by blue, green, yellow, and finally with red identifying areas most likely to suffer earthquake damage.Notice that the west coast is in the red zone.Within California, notice that the western portion of the state is where the significant fault lines lie.Create an earthquake Plan with your family.Know the safe areas in each room in the house (under sturdy tables, desks, or against inside walls).Know where the danger areas are as well (windows, mirrors, hanging objects, fireplaces, and tall furniture).The bed in each bedroom should be a safe zone where you or a family member could ride out an earthquake in relative safety. Avoid placement of beds against windows, under heavy objects, under heavy mirrors or framed pictures, or next to heavy bookshelves that could fall on the bed area).Have a pre-arranged area where the family will meet if separated.Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers, but use the phone only if absolutely necessary.Keep a survival kit at home, in your car, and at work, in case stores and other services are not available for a few days.Keep a pair of shoes available, and if possible, put them on before trying to leave the house. Glass, splinters, nails, and other debris can inflict serious injuries.Before it becomes necessary, learn how to shut off utilities. Well talk about how to do that in most instances in a moment.Check for stability of chimneys, roofs, and wall foundations. Houses built after 1935 should be secured to the foundation already. If you have an older home, you should have an inspector or contractor ensure that it is.Secure heavy furnishings, like refrigerators, stoves, and bookcases.Secure water heaters and appliances that could move enough to rupture utility lines.Keep breakable and heavy objects on lower shelves. Put latches on cabinet doors to keep them closed during shaking.Maintain an emergency kit containing food, water, first aid supplies, tools, and clothing.When organizing supplies for an earthquake, remember that you need access to them after an earthquake has turned your house into a mess. Store supplies in an easy to find location unlikely to be buried under heavy objects. A large covered trashcan makes an excellent storage container.When deciding what to include, remember that it may be several days before services or assistance is readily available.It will be important to have enough cash to sustain you for several days as well. Banks and ATMs are likely to be damaged too.Your emergency supplies should include enough non perishable food for the whole family (including pets) to last several days.A camp or backpacking stove with enough propane or canned fuel will allow you to heat food items or boil water.The easiest items to store and maintain are food items that require no cooking or only minimal heating, like canned soups, MREs, and granola or energy bars.Rotate the food supplies every 6 months.Dehydration occurs much more quickly than starvation. An average person will feel the effects in about 36 hours. This occurs more quickly in the very young, very old, or persons on certain medications.The effects of drinking contaminated water can be disease or death.The city water supply is vulnerable to the effects of a large earthquake. Contaminants can enter the drinking water supply through ruptured pipes, shaking of sediment in storage tanks, and damage to municipal water purification systems.Your water supply should be one gallon per person per day. Store about 7 days supply.The 1 and 2 gallon containers found in grocery stores are not designed for long term storage. They begin to leak after about 6 months. Also, do not store them directly on concrete. Contaminants can leach through the thin plastic containers.Better containers can be purchased at camping or survival stores.If using re-fillable containers, add 8 drops of pure unscented liquid bleach per gallon of water to limit bacterial contamination.Water stored in water heaters can be used as well. Turn off gas or electricity to heater. Also turn off water coming into the unit (if you suspect contamination of city water supply). Once water has cooled, you can safely open the drain at the bottom of the water heater.The toilet storage tank (not toilet bowl) should be safe as long as you dont use coloring or disinfectants in it.Melted ice cubes can be used for drinking water.Also, water trapped in home pipes can be used. Turn off the main water valve. Open the water valve at the highest point in the house, and then you may be able to drain water from the tap or valve at the lowest point in your home.If you are uncertain about the safety of the fresh water you have available to you, boil it for 10 minutes before using.When you feel an earthquake, duck under a desk or sturdy table.Stay away from windows, bookcases, file cabinets, heavy mirrors, hanging plants, and other heavy objects that could fall. Watch out for falling plaster and ceiling tiles.Stay under cover until the shaking stops and hold onto your cover. If it moves, move with it.Additional tips for specific locations:If you are in a high-rise building, and not near a desk or table, move against an interior wall and protect your head with your arms. Do not use elevators. The alarms and sprinkler systems may be triggered. Stay inside, as windows can become dislodged and sail for hundreds of feet.If outdoors, move to an clear area away from trees, signs, buildings, electrical wires, and power poles.If on a sidewalk near buildings, duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, and other debris.If driving, pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses, power lines, and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over.Be prepared to take cover when aftershocks occur.After an earthquake has occurred, there will usually be aftershocks of varying magnitude. Prepare for them by taking a moment to decide where you would take cover if they occur.Check family member and neighbors for injuries, provide first aid, and attempt to summon aid.Try to remain calm and calm others. You may need to make quick decisions and will be better able to do that if you can think clearly.Put on shoes as soon as possible to avoid foot injuries on broken glass and other debris.Check for fire and take appropriate actions, either evacuation or limited firefighting.Check gas, water, and electric lines. If damaged, shut off service. If you suspect a gas leak, do not turn on electric appliances. Open windows and doors to limit trapping of gas in your home, then turn off the service outside.Everyone should know how to shut off gas, water, and electricity to their homes.If you dont smell gas or have only minor damage to your home, you may not need to turn off the gas. If you do need to turn it off:Locate the main gas shut-off at the gas meter. This will be outside.You will need a wrench or pliers to turn the valve off. LAFD recommends taping a wrench to the meter or gas line.As shown in the diagram, when the tab on the switch lines up with the pipe, it is on. When the tab lines up perpendicular to the pipe, it is off.Once you have turned off the gas, all pilot lights in your home will have to be re-lighted. If uncertain how to do this, call the gas company for assistance before turning on the gas.To turn off water service to your home, locate the water meter box. It is usually in the front yard at the street or sidewalk. Once you lift up the concrete cover, you will see either a gate valve (typical faucet) and turning it firmly to the right will turn off the water. Or there may be a valve much like the one on the gas meter. It works the same way. When the tab is in line with the pipe it is on, and when perpendicular, it is off.To turn off electric service to your home, find the circuit breaker box or the main fuse box. If your home has a fuse box, it should have a handle at the side that shuts off all power or a pullout fuse clearly marked main, remove it.If you have a circuit breaker box, there should be a main breaker clearly marked. Switching it to the off position should shut off all power to your home. LAFD suggests turning off all individual breakers and then the main breaker.Here at the clinic, once the shaking has stopped. Help to get all personnel and patients out of the building and into a clear area away from trees and power lines.Our muster area is the parking lot at the north end of the building.Once there, supervisors should make sure that all personnel and patients are accounted for.Form triage teams, and render first aid as needed.If the building is safe, a team can be formed to search for missing personnel.Contact will be made with the March ARB medical command post. We will then get assistance or provide assistance as needed.