Disaster Preparedness
Article by Paula Z. Brown, Emerald Hills resident; with input from Brian Molver, District Coordinator with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services (OES).
[Editor's note: The following is a draft of a document we plan to separately distribute to all residents. We want this tool to be useful and easy to understand--and wish to hear your comments on how to improve it. While too large to include here in its entirety, you may download/view the entire document text and related forms & maps, online at http://www.emeraldhills.org/disasterprep/. Please send comments to feedback@emeraldhills.org (or our PO Box).]   It is obvious that planning for a disaster is better than realizing you don't know what to do after one occurs. This article includes information about local notification sources, planning your evacuation before it's needed, and reuniting your family afterwards.

It is obvious that planning for a disaster is better than realizing you don't know what to do after one occurs. This article includes information about local notification sources, planning your evacuation before it's needed, and reuniting your family afterwards.

Emergency evacuation notification
How to find out a problem exists:

• The Sheriff's department may do door-to-door notification; making sure residents leave their homes.
• Tune your radio to either KCBS-740AM or KSJO-92.3FM to access the Emergency Alert System (EAS) via the Incident Commander and/or OES Duty Officer on the scene of the problem.
• Subscribe to email notification via the Emergency Digital Information Service. For more information on EDIS click http://www.incident.com/edismail.html or alternatively, http://www.edis.ca.gov/.
• Ask a neighbor what they know.

Plan your evacuation before an event occurs
The household evacuation planning sheet is easy to use (click image for PDF version). Enter the contact information for each family member along with any evacuation special needs items. Special needs could be medical (a walker, medication) or items such as eyeglasses or a comfort toy. Next, consider carefully the daily schedules for family members who don't drive or are underage. Is there usually someone around to help them? If not, you'll need to ask a neighbor to assist during an evacuation. Don't assume anyone away from home will be allowed into the area being evacuated.

• Don't assume telephones will be working or power will be on. Keep a portable radio handy. Family radios (walkie-talkies) are very useful in an emergency. Set all family radios to the same channel and make sure everyone knows how to operate the units. Keep a supply of fresh batteries near all portable devices.

• Plan for your pets. Animals that roam freely, like cats, will find shelter during an emergency. For animals to be evacuated; have carriers, water, food, leashes, etc. readily available, so pets can be comfortably housed in your car for several days. Also keep their ID tags up to date. Have an ID microchip embedded into your pet.

• List important documents (insurance policies, etc.) and personal items (family photos, jewelry, etc.) you want to evacuate and let the household know where to find them.

• Since it's often easier to make phone calls out of an affected area, include an out-of-county/state contact for household members to call.

• Take a drive with your household members to the evacuation sites, suggested by OES for Emerald Hills. And let the emergency contacts in your plan know the locations of the evacuation sites:

PRIMARY RELOCATION SITE:      Red Morton Park at Roosevelt & Valota streets. ALTERNATE RELOCATION SITE:      Canada College parking lot, off Farm Hill Blvd. These suggested sites are places to reunite with neighbors, friends and family. This is where we share information about missing neighbors and where we receive information from government and community agencies such as FEMA, Red Cross, etc. If you choose to use another evacuation site (e.g. Grandma's house) enter its location into your plan.

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Complete your family's plan by sharing copies of it with your neighbors, whether your family needs outside assistance or not. Knowledge of who our neighbors are is valuable in an emergency; it helps authorities account for people. Offer to assist neighbors with their household evacuation needs or ask them if they are willing to help you. Post your plan and the plans of your neighbors in a conspicuous location near an exit and the portable radio(s).

Evacuation steps to take during a disaster

1. If there is time, call 9-1-1 and let them know you're evacuating. Services such as the fire department may not be aware of a new problem in your area.
2. Put your plan into action. Gather the people you are responsible for and, if there is time, gather the special needs items. Follow the safest route away from danger. Emergency responders along your way may be available to guide you.
3. At the relocation site, call the out-of-county/state emergency contact for each household and leave a message about your status.
4. If you are away from home, do not try to return home. Call a neighbor in the area and/or go to the relocation site or alternative meeting place.

Emergency numbers for cellular phones
Dialing 9-1-1 on a cell phone connects you to statewide emergency services. The statewide answering center then directs your call to back to the emergency services in your local area. Save valuable time by using alternative 9-1-1 numbers to connect directly to local services. Below are the numbers for Emerald Hills. Program these into your family's cellular phones.
     Sheriff     650.363.4911
     Fire         650.368.1421
     EMS       650.364.1313

Plan ahead--if you wait it's too late
Now it's up to you. Use the planning form and take the practice drive to the evacuation sites with your family. And schedule a date a year from now to update your plan.