Earthquake
Be Prepared!
You may not be able to drive home. Protect your loved
ones, your property and your peace of mind – be prepared (See Family Emergency Plan
).
At work have stout walking shoes and any supplies you need to walk home. Ask
that bookcases, filing cabinets be properly secured to walls. Know where your
department first aid kit is kept. Have a working flashlight.
At home have on hand basic emergency supplies including:
- Portable radio with fresh batteries and spares (also
consider acquiring a hand-cranked or solarpowered radio).
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- First aid kit and handbook
- Water (at least four gallons per person per day –
72-hour minimum supply).
- Food (Canned, such as tuna in water -- avoid highly
salted).
- Essential medications
- Tools to close water and gas shutoff valves
- Cash (Banks and ATMs may not be available).
Indoors
Get under a sturdy desk or table – Duck,
Cover and Hold on until the shaking
stops. Or, seek refuge along an interior
wall. Wait two or three minutes before exiting
any building. Avoid walls with windows
(flying glass), falling objects from
shelves and overhead hazards such as
light fixtures. Doorways are not necessarily
safe places.
Outdoors
Move quickly away from buildings –
watch out for objects falling from roofs
and walls -- utility poles, power lines and
overhead hazards such as tree limbs.
You should assume all downed power
lines are energized or “hot.”
In an Automobile
Stop as soon as possible in a safe place.
Avoid overhead structures and utility
lines. Remain in your vehicle -- it provides
substantial shelter.
After the Initial Shock
Report damage to your senior building coordinator
or a Building Emergency Team
member, who should relay the information
in writing by runner to the University Police
Department Public Safety Dispatch Center
(UPD Building at 7th and San Salvador).
Do not use campus or blue light telephones
(if working) to report any situation
that is not a life threatening emergency.
Be especially alert for hazards including
gas leaks, fire, broken or downed utility
lines or spilled chemicals.
- Do not turn on room lights or any computer or
electrical equipment or use an open flame if a gas leak is suspected.
- For emergency instructions and information turn to
campus radio station KSJS (90.5 FM).
- Using your best judgment (or if directed), activate
the building emergency (fire) alarm in any life threatening situation.
- Assist disabled persons. Do not move injured persons
unless there is an urgent threat to their lives – in such cases move injured
only as far as necessary for their safety (usually the nearest stairway
landing or ground floor exit). Do not separate wheelchair-bound persons from
their chairs. Do not use elevators -- in a fire they can become death traps.
Notify the senior building coordinator of casualties and disabled.
- Stay away from building entrances until the all clear
is given. Do not smoke.
- Always check in with your supervisor before leaving
the area or University.
- If requested, assist Building Emergency Team members, University police or
other emergency personnel. Do not reenter a building until the emergency alarm
is silenced. The senior building coordinator and UPD will jointly determine
when it is safe to reenter a building.
Telephones
- Pay telephones are considered an essential service
and so will have dial tone restored as soon as possible.
- Carry a pre-paid telephone card for emergency calls.
- If you do not get dial tone immediately do not hang
up and redial – telephone company equipment will return you to the end of the
“queue” of others trying to make calls. Be patient – if dial tone is available
it may take several minutes to get it.
- Have an out-of-state contact for all family members. Make sure everyone
knows to check in with the contact – while you may not be able to dial across
an earthquake-affected region long-distance telephone service may not be
affected.
To learn more about personal and family
preparedness: contact your city Office of
Emergency Services or the American Red
Cross.
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS EXPECT AFTERSHOCKS!
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