County pushes community-based preparedness

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Tuesday unveiled a new disaster-readiness campaign that urges neighborhoods and communities to "connect, prepare and respond."The three elements of the campaign are designed to encourage residents to meet their neighbors, prepare disaster plans that include a neighborhood map and other resources, and to offer tips on responding appropriately to emergencies. "While it is critical that every household in Los Angeles County have an emergency kit, sometimes that may not be enough. Surviving an emergency or a disaster that affects a large area should be a team effort," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. "In a disaster, it can take hours or even days for emergency responders to reach those that need help. Neighbors need to be ready, willing and able to help each other in times of need and that means taking time now to connect, prepare, and learn how to respond." Connect: Neighbors are also encouraged to get acquainted and exchange contact information. "It is important that neighbors become aware of those on their street that are most vulnerable in times of crisis, such as the elderly, those that live alone, those with medical needs, and others who may need a little extra help," said Dr. Fielding. Start a dialogue with your neighbors about resources that can be shared, such as tools or skills; identifying areas of concern, such as streets that may be closed if a mudslide were to occur; potential evacuation routes; and other disaster-readiness topics. Prepare: Community-based disaster response plans should ideally include: A method of communication for all residents, A procedure to determine the status of every resident, such as a neighborhood telephone tree or Twitter account, A "neighbor inventory" to identify individuals who may need extra assistance, A neighborhood map with planned evacuation routes, And an emergency plan and survival kit for every household. Respond: How one responds during a disaster could mean the difference between life and death. Everyone should stay informed and follow instructions from local officials through multiple sources, such as television and radio reports and, in some cases, through social media updates on Twitter or Facebook. Immediate steps to take in the event of a disaster include: Making sure the people in your household are safe. Activating your emergency plan. Getting information by turning on your television or radio or logging onto trusted internet sources. Checking on your neighbors, and organizing or providing help if needed. For more information about developing a family and neighborhood emergency plan, visit prepare2respond.org.

********** Published: August 25, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 19