What is an Earthquake Preparedness Plan?
An earthquake preparedness plan is to know how to prepare a disaster plan before an earthquake hits,
and how to react during and after the earthquake. A disaster preparedness plan shall include the following:
Personal Survival Kits
For each household member; keep one survival kit at home, another in the car, and the third at
work/school. Backpacks or other small bags are best for survival kits. Earthquake survival kits are
collections of first aid supplies, emergency supplies, and survival supplies shown in Figure 1 (source:
USGS & SCEC) that include:
 | | Medications, prescriptions, medical insurance cards copies, doctors’ names and contact information. |
| | |
Household Emergency Kit
Electrical, gas, water and sewage, as well as
transportation systems are most likely to be
disrupted for several days or even months after a
large earthquake. Emergency response
agencies and hospitals will likely be
over-whelmed and unable to provide immediate
assistance. To help your family cope after a large
earthquake, store a household emergency kit in
an easily accessible outdoor location other than
the garage. Earthquake emergency kit which
complements your personal survival kits should
be in a large watertight container that can be
easily moved and should hold two weeks of
emergency food and drinks as well as other
disaster supplies of the following items:
| | Dust mask, first aid kit and handbook, sturdy |
| | shoes, and whistle.
|
| | Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses and cleaning |
| | solutions.
|
| | Personal hygiene supplies.
|
| | Bottled water, snack foods high in calories, and |
| | toiletries.
|
| | Working flash-light with extra batteries and light |
| | bulbs.
|
| | Extra cell phone battery and charger. Emergency cash and road maps.
|
| | Copies of personal identification, and list of out-of-area emergency contact phone numbers.
|
| | Games, crayons, writing materials and teddy bears for children.
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Figure 1 - Personal Earthquake Survival Kit
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Disaster Management
What should you do when the Shaking Starts?
If you are Indoors
| | Near a Desk or Table: “drop, cover, and hold on” as you practiced. If not, “drop” to the floor against |
| | an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid exterior walls, windows,
hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances, and cabinets filled with heavy objects. Do
not go outside until well after the shaking stops!
|
| | In Bed: Hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured |
| | staying where you are. Broken glass on the floor can cause injuries; be sure to put shoes on before
stepping on the floor.
|
| | In a High Rise Building: Drop, cover, and hold on. Avoid windows and other hazards. Do not use |
| | elevators. Do not be surprised if sprinkler systems or fire alarms activate.
|
| | At Work: Drop, cover, and hold on. Know your workplace’s earthquake disaster plan and put it into |
| | action. When safe, move to a specified meeting location.
|
| | In a Public Building or Theater: Drop, cover, and hold on if possible. If in a theater seat, duck down |
| | and protect your head and neck with your arms. Don’t try to leave until the shaking is over. Then
walk out slowly, watching for fallen debris or anything that could fall on you in aftershocks.
|
If you are Outdoors
| | Move to a clear area if you can safely do so; avoid buildings, power lines, trees, and other hazards. |
| | Always assume fallen power lines are live!
|
| | Near Tall Buildings: Windows, facades, and architectural details are often the first parts of a |
| | building to collapse. Get away from this danger zone when shaking starts. Take refuge in a safe
building or an open space.
|
| | Driving: When able, safely pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake. Avoid |
| | overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs, trees, and other things that might collapse or fall on the
vehicle. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over. If a power line falls on the vehicle, stay
inside until a trained person removes the hazard.
|
| | In a Stadium: Stay at your seat and protect your head and neck with your arms. Don’t try to leave until |
| | the shaking is over. Then exit slowly, avoiding debris and watching for anything that could fall in
aftershocks.
|
| | Near the Shore: Tsunamis from local earthquakes may flood low-lying coasts within minutes of the |
| | quake. Distant, large earthquakes can produce tsunamis that may arrive hours later at beaches. If
you feel a strong quake, hear a tsunami warning, or notice the water suddenly withdrawing from the
beach, evacuate immediately to higher ground. Tsunami waves may continue to arrive for hours, so
do not return to the shore until an “all clear message” has been issued.
|
| | Below a Dam: Dams can fail during a major earthquake. Catastrophic failure is unlikely, but if you |
| | are downstream from a dam, you should know flood-zone information and have prepared an
evacuation plan.
|
What should you do after the Shaking Stops?
Check for Injuries
| | Check yourself for serious injuries before helping other family members.
|
| | Protect your mouth, nose, and eyes from dust using the dust mask.
|
| | If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound. Use clean gauze or cloth, if available.
|
| | If a person is not breathing, administer rescue breathing.
|
| | If a person has no pulse, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) only if you took the training |
| | course.
|
| | Do not move seriously injured persons, unless they are in immediate danger of further harm.
|
| | Cover injured persons with blankets or additional clothing to keep them warm.
|
Figure 2 - Drop, Cover and Hold On
|
| | Damaged Masonry: Stay away from brick chimneys and walls. They may be weakened and could |
| | topple during aftershocks. Don’t use a fireplace with a damaged chimney, as this could start a fire
or trap toxic gases in your home.
|
If your Home is Seriously Damaged
You should evacuate if your home is structurally unsafe or threatened by a fire or other secondary disaster.
However, shelters may be overcrowded and initially lack basic services, so do not leave home just
because utilities are out of service or your home and its contents have suffered moderate damage. If you
evacuate, tell a neighbor and your family's emergency contact where you are going.
Emergency Supplies to Bring to Shelter:
| | Personal earthquake survival kits.
|
| | Supply of water, emergency food, and snacks.
|
| | Blanket, pillow, and air mattress or sleeping pad.
|
| | Change of clothing and a jacket.
|
| | Towel and washcloth.
|
| | Diapers, formula, food, and other supplies for infants.
|
| | Books, games, crayons, and teddy bears or dolls for children.
|
| | Personal identification and health insurance information.
|
Items not to Bring to Shelter:
| | Pets except service animals for people with disabilities.
|
| | Large quantities of unnecessary clothing or other personal items.
|
| | Valuables that might be lost, stolen, or take up needed space.
|
Disaster Recovery
What should you do days/weeks after the Earthquake?
First Few Days after the Earthquake
| | If you evacuate, do not reenter your home until you know it is safe.
|
| | Turn on your portable/car radio and listen for information and safety advisories.
|
| | Place all phones back on their cradles. Call your out-of-area emergency contact, tell him/her your |
| | status, and then stay off the phone. Emergency responders need the phone lines for life-saving
communications.
|
| | Check on your neighbors.
|
| | Check your emergency food and water supplies.
|
| | If power is off, plan meals so as to use up refrigerated and frozen foods first. If you keep the door |
| | closed, food in your freezer may be good for a couple of days.
|
| | If your water is off, you can drink from water heaters, melted ice cubes, or canned vegetables. Avoid |
| | drinking the water from swimming pools or hot tubs; use it to fight fires.
|
| | Be sure there are no gas leaks at your home before using open flames (lighters, matches, candles, |
| | or grills) or operating any electrical or mechanical device that could create a spark (light switches,
generators, chain saws, or motor vehicles).
|
| | Check for chemical spills, faulty electrical wiring, and broken water lines. Water in contact with faulty |
| | wiring is a shock hazard.
|
| | Unplug broken or toppled light fixtures or appliances. These could start fires when electricity is |
| | restored.
|
| | Never use the following indoors: camp stoves, kerosene or gas lanterns or heaters, gas or |
| | charcoal grills, or gas generators, as these can release deadly carbon monoxide gas or be a fire
hazard in aftershocks.
|
A Week after the Earthquake
Although aftershocks may continue, you will now work toward getting your life, your home and family, and
your routines back in order. Make sure your home is safe to occupy and not in danger of collapse in
aftershocks. If you were able to remain in your home or return to it after a few days, you will have a variety of
tasks to accomplish while reestablishing routines. Tasks include:
| | If your gas was turned off, arrange for the gas company to turn it back on.
|
| | If the electricity went off and then came back on, check your appliances or electronic equipment for |
| | damage.
|
| | If water lines broke, look for water damage.
|
| | Locate or replace documents that have been misplaced, damaged, or destroyed.
|
| | Contact your insurance agent or company to begin your claims process.
|
| | Contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to find out about financial assistance.
|
| | If you cannot live at your home, set up an alternative mailing address with the post office.
|
If your Home is Completely Destroyed
Check the disaster relief programs in the financial issues section.
Check for Damage causing Hazardous Conditions
| | Fire: Put out small fires in your home or neighborhood |
| | immediately. Call for help, but don’t wait for the fire
department.
|
| | Gas Leaks: Only turn off the gas if you suspect a leak |
| | because of broken pipes or detect the odor or sound of
leaking natural gas. Use a manual gas shut off wrench to
close your main gas valve by turning it counter-clockwise as
shown in Figure 3. Don’t turn gas back on by yourself, wait
for the gas company.
|
| | Damaged Electrical Wiring: Shut off power at the main |
| | breaker switch if there is any damage to your home wiring.
Leave the power off until the damage is repaired.
|
| | Downed Utility Lines: If you see downed power lines, |
| | consider them energized and keep yourself and others well
away from them. Never touch downed power lines or any
objects in contact with them.
|
| | Falling Items: Beware of heavy items tumbling off shelves |
| | when you open closet and cupboard doors.
|
Figure 3 - Shutting off the Main Gas
Valve Counter-Clockwise
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Financial Recovery Disaster Kit
Copies of your essential financial documents should be kept in a fire-proof document safe in order to be
available after a damaging earthquake. Consider purchasing a home safe or renting a safe deposit box.
Copies of essential documents in such disaster kit shall include:
| | Picture identifications, birth certificates, social security cards, naturalization papers and residency |
| | documents, passports, driver licenses, marriage license or divorce papers, child custody papers,
and power of attorney papers.
|
| | Medical prescription and records.
|
| | Mortgage, home improvement records, home and auto insurance policies.
|
| | A list of phone numbers for your financial institutions and credit card companies. Bank statements |
| | and financial records, credit card numbers, and certificates for stocks, bonds, and other investments.
|
| | Household inventory of your possessions (a list and photos or video). Appraisals of valuable jewelry, |
| | art, and antiques.
|
| | Deeds, titles, and other ownership records for property such as homes, autos, recreation vehicles, |
| | and boats.
|
| | A backup of critical files on your computer. A list of names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of |
| | critical personal and business contacts.
|
| | Wills or trust documents.
|
| | Emergency cash.
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Other Emergency Preparedness Items
| | Provide all family members with a list of important contact phone numbers including a designated |
| | out-of-area emergency contact person who can be called by everyone to tell where they are.
|
| | Locate a safe place outside your home to meet your family after the shaking stops.
|
| | Determine where to live if your home cannot be occupied after an earthquake.
|
| | Know about earthquake disaster plan developed by your children’s school or day care.
|
| | Keep a working flashlight and sturdy shoes next to everyone’s bed.
|
| | Install smoke alarms, test them monthly, and change the battery once a year.
|
| | Buy a fire extinguisher, put it in an easily accessible location, and get training in how to use it properly.
|
| | Keep needed tools near utility shutoff's and learn how to turn off electricity, water, and gas. Only turn |
| | off the gas if you smell or hear leaking gas.
|
| | Identify safe spots in every room, such as under sturdy desks and tables. Learn how to protect your |
| | head at all times during earthquake shaking, and practice "drop, cover, and hold on” with your family
specially children as shown on Figure 2.
|
| | Determine the best escape routes from your home and from each room. Take a Red Cross first aid |
| | and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training course.
|
| | A minimum of one gallon per person per day of drinking water. Canned and packaged foods and |
| | cooking utensils including a manual can opener. Charcoal or gas grill for outdoor cooking and
matches.
|
| | First aid supplies, medications, soap, toilet paper, and essential hygiene items such as toothpaste.
|
| | Extra car and house keys. A wrench and other basic tools. Working flash-light with extra batteries and |
| | light bulbs, and a portable battery-operated radio with spare batteries.
|
| | Comfortable warm clothing, baby items, extra socks, blankets or sleeping bags, and even a tent. |
| | Work gloves and protective goggles. Heavy-duty plastic bags for waste and to serve other purposes.
|
| | Pet food and pet restraints.
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Earthquake Awareness and Preparedness
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