Teaching Residents How to Prepare for an Emergency

Editor's note: The Community Emergency Preparedness Academy is an eight-week program in Aliso Viejo that teaches residents what to do in an emergency. Each week we will provide tips and information from the sessions. The workshop began Feb. 8.

If the Big One were to hit Southern California, many residents—including those in Aliso Viejo—wouldn't be prepared.

"We live in a 911 society today," said Steve Rhyner, emergency management and coordinator of the O.C. Sheriff's Department. "During a major earthquake, we need to be able to have citizens ready to help themselves. Paramedics, police and firefighters will be overwhelmed, and help won't always be available during a major earthquake."

With fault lines and flood plains running across Aliso Viejo, the city wanted to prepare residents, so it created its annual Community Emergency Preparedness Academy.

"This class is very informative," said Tim Thornburg, a participant in the program. "I'm not prepared currently, but I think this class will help me become more prepared. It's definitely worth coming to."

Another student, Sherry Souza, says she is already prepared but is taking the course again.

"It's more of a refresher for me," she said. "My family is prepared for a major earthquake. The only thing we need to do is fasten things a bit tighter so that things don't fall off the walls. Other than that, we are ready."

Participants were surprised to learn that homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake damage. Owners would have to buy that insurance separately to ensure that they are covered. While the co-pays are high, Rhyner thinks they are worth it.

"Earthquake insurance is only a couple hundred dollars a year," he said. "While the co-pays can range up to 15 percent, that is much better than losing your entire home."

Another thing that surprised the class is that California has not had a major earthquake in modern history.

"The Northridge earthquake isn't considered 'major' and isn't even close to what one would be," said Rhyner. "A major earthquake would be equal to 23 times the size of the Northridge earthquake."

Some of Rhyner's tips:

"You have to start right now," he said. "Make sure you have enough food and water to last at least three days. Don't put a hundred-dollar bill in your survival kit because that's what you'll pay for something. Have an assortment of bills on hand. The best thing you can do during an earthquake is get under a piece of furniture and hold on. If you try to run out the door, you will get hurt by the waterfall of debris. Nearly two-thirds of Northridge's injuries were lacerations and cuts to people's feet. Have a quick change of clothes next to your bed, along with shoes. This way, you won't get hurt."

Next week's class will cover Police Services, 911 calls and AlertOC notifications and Neighborhood Watch and neighborhood organizing.