Malibu - The Guide - 2016 Malibu Chamber of Commerce Business Resource & Community Guide

EmErgENCy iNFo.
NoT iF, buT wHEN.
By: Brad Child
PHOTO BY SUSI MANNERS
wHaT will you Do wHEN THE
NEXT DiSaSTEr oCCurS?
Sunshine, ocean breezes and a moderate
year ‘round climate. We all know the
benefits of living in this balmy
Mediterranean ecosystem. California living
has a lot going for it, right? However, we
also know that Southern California, and the
Malibu area in particular, is subject to the
effects of natural disasters such as
wildfires, earthquakes, mudslides and
flooding, among other historical threats.
In a major disaster, it may take three days
or more before vital services are restored.
It is unlikely that emergency response
services will be able to immediately
respond to everyone’s needs, so it’s
important to be prepared to take care of
yourself and your family. This means there
will be no water supply, no power, no
phone, cellphone or Internet, no gas, no
deliveries of food, gasoline, clothing, no
ambulance, no medics no police, no
firefighters, no 911 responders, ZERO: 17th
century California, here we are. So in a
disaster, plan on being on your own for at
least the first 72 hours and prepare for
even longer!
Being prepared includes making sure that
the entire family is ready and informed in
advance of a disaster or emergency. Once
the earth shakes or a 50 foot wall of flame
is racing up the hill to your home, it is too
late. Also, your family members might not
be together when these events take place.
So you should have a communication plan
to insure you are able to contact and find
one another.
maKE a DiSaSTEr
PrEParEDNESS PlaN
The following are some basic steps
recommended by the American Red Cross
to make sure you and your family remain
safe:
• Meet with your family or household
members and discuss how to prepare
and respond to emergencies that are
most likely to happen where you live,
learn, work and play.
• Identify responsibilities for each
member of your household and plan to
work together as a team.
• Plan what to do in case you are
separated during an emergency
• Choose two places to meet:
1. Right outside your home in case of a
sudden emergency, such as a fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood, in case
you cannot return home or are asked
to evacuate.
CrEaTE aN EVaCuaTioN PlaN:
What to do if you have to and who should
be notified. Choose an out- of- area
emergency contact person who lives far
enough away not to be affected by the
same emergency. It may be easier to text
or call long distance if local phone lines are
overloaded or out of service. Everyone
should have emergency contact
information in writing or saved on their cell
phones. Paper documents never run out
of baמּeries.
• Decide where to go and how to get
there. You may evacuate to a
hotel/motel, stay with friends or
relatives in a safe location, or go to an
evacuation shelter if available and
necessary.
• Practice evacuating from your home
twice a year. Drive your planned
evacuation route and plot alternate
routes on your map in case roads are
impassable.
• Plan ahead for the care of your pets.
Keep a phone list of pet- friendly
hotels/motels and animal shelters that
are along your evacuation routes.
• Take into account the special needs of
children, seniors, people with
disabilities, and if you have family
members who don’t speak English.
22 • Malibu Chamber of Commerce Business Directory & Community Guide