Please join AIA in thanking the following organizations (and their representatives)
for participating in our first annual "Alamo Public Safety Fair."
- American Red Cross - Emergency Services and Aid
- CCCounty Community Awareness And Emergency Response Dept
- CCCounty Office Of Emergency Services Dept (OES)
- CCCounty Sheriff's Dept.
- Neighborhood Watch Program
- Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES)
- San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD)
- Search And Rescue
- SRVUSD Safety Program - Emergency Evacuation Program
We also want to thank our local businesses, specifically Extreme Pizza,
Papa Murphy's and Round Table for their generous support in providing
refreshments for organization representatives, and ACE Hardware and
Dr. James Sexton, DVM for their participation in this year's event.
This event provided attendees with the opportunity to learn about and understand
the resources available to our Alamo community as well as the many options
available to individuals and families to become better prepared for various
types of emergencies.
For example our County's Office of Emergency Services brought and discussed
their
Family Preparedness Resource Guide which starts off with the following
message, "Our County has at least five active fault systems. The Hayward Fault,
which passes through western Contra Costa County, causes the greatest concern.
Scientists have estimated there is a 90% chance that a major earthquake will
occur along the Hayward Fault within the next 30 years...The damage caused
by a major earthquake will severely restrict communications, transportation and
utilities, and will isolate many areas of the county.
Emergency Service response
personnel will likely be overwhelmed by calls for assistance and unable to
respond to many requests during the first three days of the disaster. Do not
call 9-1-1 unless you have a real emergency." The guide continues with,
"The
ability of individuals, families, and neighbors to help themselves and each
other during this time will be crucial to their recovery."
Fortunately, there are many resources available to residents to help them prepare
for an emergency. The Resource Guide has 20 pages of valuable information
to assist you and your neighbors in this process. It is important to pre-plan now
and meet with your family to discuss the types of disasters that could occur, how
to prepare and respond, what to do if you are advised to evacuate, and then to practice what you have discussed.
No matter where you are, know how to protect
yourself and your family during an earthquake.
Practice taking cover as if there were an earthquake,
and learn the safest places in your home or at work.
You should practice getting out of your home as
well as your work place. Check to see if the planned
exits are clear or if they can become blocked in an
earthquake. You should also practice turning off your
electricity, water, and gas. Know how to turn off the gas, but do not practice this
step. In the event of an earthquake, once you turn off your gas, only your utility
company should turn it back on for safety reasons.
Your Home Safety Checklist should include:
1) Identify "safe places" in your home, which may include hallways, doorways,
and under large tables and desks.
2) Identify escape routes from home for each family member.
3) Identify a meeting place outside of your home for family members to congregate,
should you need to evacuate.
4) Also, pick a place outside of your neighborhood in case you cannot return
home.
5) Determine a contact person who can be called outside of the state of California
if family members are separated in the event of an earthquake.
6) Make sure all members of the family know the phone number of the contact
person.
7) Discuss with family members what steps would be taken by each family
member following an earthquake if family members are separated.
8) Review the policy adopted by each of your children's schools to understand
their procedures on the retention or release of students during emergencies.
9) Make a list of all critical identification numbers, such as credit cards, driver's
license, etc. and place these in your safety deposit box.
10) Place critical items such as birth certificates, automobile pink slips and
insurance policies in your safety deposit box.
Learn First Aid and CPR. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter
for information and training.
Stocking up now on emergency supplies can add to your safety, comfort,
and ability to survive during, and after, an earthquake. Make sure to store
enough supplies to sustain you and your family for at least 72 hours.
AIA wishes to thank all residents that attended our first, annual Alamo
Public Safety Fair.
