There’s no doubt in seismic expert Dr. Lucile Jones’ mind. The “big one” is coming. Jones is the Scientist-in-charge of the U.S. Geological Survey earthquake program and notes it may be years, or just days away.

Experts urge families to prepare to survive the “the big one” as if it might hit tomorrow. Dr. Jones hastens to add that unlike a hurricane or tsunami, a major earthquake won't give Southern Californians any warning.

Dr. Jones’ assessment is strongly endorsed by officials from the California Office of Emergency Services, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Red Cross, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These agencies stress that preparedness is essential and that family resources are likely to be the only source of immediate aid in the days following a major disaster.

For emergency personnel, the most striking aspect of disasters has been the lack of preparation. Officials stress the need for every family to have the food, water and personal resources to withstand a prolonged loss of basic services.

"Just simple, very basic preparations could save so many people so much," said an official with the Greater Long Beach Chapter of the American Red Cross.

That a major disaster will cause the disruption of nearly all services is hardly news. Lakewood has been training community members in personal and family preparedness for 20 years, through the city’s Neighborhood Watch program and the city’s C.A.R.E. (Community Awareness in Response to an Emergency) program. The current community preparedness program is called "CERT" for Community Emergency Response Team.

The Lakewood program emphasizes having on hand the resources to survive the aftermath of a major disaster. Emergency relief in a widespread disaster won’t reach every home and every family as quickly as planners once believed.

‘Survive for 7’ family preparedness seen as disaster planning goal

Lakewood's "Survive for 7" disaster prep motto is at the heart of its preparedness message. In the case of a major disaster, residents should prepare to be on their own for seven days. Gathering basic necessities and common sense planning are important basics everyone should have in place before a major crisis. www.lakewoodcity.org/7days.
 

Lakewood’s Emergency Services Manager Karen Plantz says, “We used to think 72 hours was the standard. We thought that if people prepared themselves to be self-sufficient for three days they would be fine. But after watching the effects of Hurricane Katrina, I would say you have to be prepared for a week.”

Plantz also notes, “'Lakewood’s ‘Survive for 7' campaign is designed to push this concept strongly in the upcoming year. Through the city’s Neighborhood Watch and CERT programs, as well as in the development of its new ‘Survive for 7’ website, the city works to give its residents the tools to be prepared.”
 

Free emergency response team disaster training available to residents
 

In conjunction with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lakewood is offering Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. The free 20-hour program educates residents about disaster preparedness and basic disaster response skills for dealing with a serious crisis situation. It is taught in cooperation with Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters. Both lecture and hands-on exercises cover topics like fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. 
 

Trained CERT members will be much better prepared to assist their family members and neighborhood following an event when professional first-responders are not immediately available to help. The program is part of the city’s "Survive for 7" efforts, which help residents become more self-reliant and better prepared for the aftermath of a serious emergency like a major earthquake.

Lessons learned

Officials say the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina taught the nation the importance of individual self-reliance and family preparedness when a major disaster strikes. Having food, water, and shelter for seven days is the new standard for personal and family disaster survival.

Lakewood’s “Survive for 7” disaster planning program educates residents about emergency preparedness and offers the skills they might need in the first week following a catastrophe.

Plantz stresses that residents need only do some very basic things to increase their chances of survival. The concepts are covered in depth on the city’s “Survive for 7” web pages.

1.       Stock safe drinking water for family members and pets.

2.       Stock non-perishable food for seven days of meals.

3.       Develop a family emergency communication plan and train every family member.

4.       Stock “survival kits” for each family member (including medicine and medical support equipment).

5.       Create a waterproof “go” bag of all the important documents you will need during an emergency.

6.       Know how and when to turn off electricity and gas service.