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NEWS
> LA JOLLA
Are you ready?
"It's not if, it's when," said Oreda Chin, community outreach manager for the San Diego/Imperial Counties chapter of the American Red Cross.
Chin, who does hundreds of community disaster preparedness workshops each year, said many people are caught off guard simply because they never expect to be caught in a disaster.
A new study report by the U.S. Geological Survey reported that "California has more than a 99 percent chance of having a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake within the next 30 years." The chance of a 7.5 magnitude or greater quake is 45 percent, with such an event most likely to occur in the southern half of the state.
Wildfires are, perhaps, an even more pressing danger.
Yet fewer than half of all county residents have taken the time to develop a disaster plan, reported a survey by the County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services (OES).
"Download and fill out a family disaster plan," said Yvette Urrea Moe, OES spokeswoman. "The reason we recommend that people sit down with their entire family, including children, is it is important for everyone to be aware of what needs to be done in an emergency."
Parents and children should be familiar with at least two escape routes from a home. Moe recommended drawing a map and practicing.
In the event of evacuation, items to pack ahead of time include legal documents, important records, family albums, medication, jewelry, irreplaceable family mementos and other valuables, as well as survival supplies such as clothing, food and water.
During her educational workshops, Chin covers the basics that should be included both in a first aid kit and what she calls a "grab and go" bag. She recommends including water, food, flashlight and batteries, a radio, heavy-duty work gloves, goggles, face mask, whistle, personal hygiene items, medication, spare glasses or contacts, cash, insurance information, a change of clothing and contact phone numbers. Modified kits should be kept in each vehicle and at work.
In the event of an emergency, people should be prepared with a minimum of 72 hours worth of food and water. "As we unfortunately witnessed with Katrina, we assume the government will be there to assist us," Moe said. "It's important that we can take care of ourselves for at least three days. Five is even better."
In a disaster, telephone access may be limited or unavailable. Chin recommended identifying a distant family member as a contact person. Each family member should know who this person is and carry the phone number with them so that they can check in if separated.
If Internet or telephone access is unavailable, emergency information will be broadcast on KOGO (AM 600).
The American Red Cross is a clearinghouse for information, education and emergency supplies, obtainable on its Web site (www.sdarc.org) or at its office and store, located at 3950 Calle Fortunada in San Diego.
Additional information from the American Red Cross can be accessed at www.prepare.org.
The OES
(www.sdcounty.ca.gov/oes/) offers a downloadable Family Disaster Plan and Personal Survival Guide.
Ready San Diego (www.ready.gov) is a dedicated Web site which includes detailed information and resources. San Diego County OES offers a magnetic "preparedness wheel" that can be kept on the refrigerator with basic emergency response guidelines. To obtain a wheel, contact John Weil, chief of staff for Third District Supervisor Pam Slater-Price at (619) 531-5533.
Maria Connor
Staff writer for La Jolla Light, Del Mar Times, Solana Beach Sun, Carmel Valley Leader and Rancho Santa Fe Record. Contact Maria at mariac@lajollalight.com.
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