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Friends of the Fourth
District:
With the start of a new year, comes a perfect opportunity to take a
new look at how well your family is prepared for a disaster or
emergency in Los Angeles County.
There is no better time than right now to ask yourself these
questions: Do members of your family know the safest places to be
during a disaster? Do they know where emergency supplies are stored
in your home? Do they know where to meet if someone gets separated
during an emergency?
We are blessed with living in one of the most beautiful and diverse
parts of our country, but with these blessings also comes the fact
our region has historically faced a number of disasters, ranging
from wildfires and mudslides to floods and earthquakes.
Experience shows us that even moderate earthquakes, in the 5.0 to
6.0 magnitude range, can cause a significant amount of damage and
injuries in Los Angeles County. While just 6.7 on the Richter Scale,
the Northridge earthquake in 1994 caused 57 deaths, more than 10,000
injuries and over $40 billion in damages.
It is impossible to know if you will be home, at work or on the road
when a disaster may strike. Transportation routes could be severely
damaged or temporarily closed, leaving you without a way to return
home.
As a result, you might have to find alternate routes for getting
around or you might even need to remain in your vehicle for an
extended amount of time. Storing supply kits at work and in your car
can help make dealing with an emergency less stressful, if you find
yourself away from home when disaster strikes.
Take the time now, at the start of the year, to prepare for an
earthquake or any type of disaster. Taking the proper precautions
can save lives and reduce your risk of injury.
If you want to find out more about preparing yourself and your
family for a disaster, check out the ‘Disaster Preparedness’ section
of my website, www.knabe.com. Once there, you will find links and
information on the Los Angeles County Emergency Survival Program
(ESP). The ESP has a terrific ‘Steps to Survival’ plan that will
help you check off the equipment and supplies you will need in a
disaster, plus tips on building car and office disaster kits and how
to keep kids safe and calm in an emergency.
DON KNABE
Supervisor, Fourth District
County of Los Angeles
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