Are you prepared for a disaster?

March 14, 2011

OPINION By BOB NEUMANN

Japan’s devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami makes one wonder if an event like this could happen here on the Central Coast.

The 2003 San Simeon earthquake, a much smaller 6.5 magnitude Richter scale event, caused significant damage and the loss of two lives. The Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes, to the north and south of us, are in our recent earthquake history. Together they took more than 130 lives and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

But not one of these was the “BIG ONE.” Experts predict a 60 percent probability of a major earthquake occurring within the next 20 years on the San Andreas Fault, which runs through San Luis Obispo County.

Earthquakes are not our only worry; San Luis Obispo County has had its share of major wild fires, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents and winter storms–all of which can have severe impacts on all our communities.

When the “BIG ONE” hits, emergency services will be overwhelmed. Since it’s simply a supply and demand issue, the reality is that it may be up to 72 hours before help can arrive.

Can you survive? The answer is YES…you can, if you are prepared. The key to surviving any disaster is planning ahead of time.

Be Prepared! The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program offers training in preparedness and team response. You will learn basic skills most commonly used in disasters. These skills can be used in your neighborhood, on campus, or at your place of work.

The program is sponsored by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Chiefs Association and the Sheriff’s Advisory Council.

Goals of CERT:
•       To prepare your family and home to survive all types of disasters.
•       To protect yourself first so that you will be able to help others.
•       To assist family and neighbors during the time of a disaster.
•       To work, if you so desire, as part of an emergency response team in the community.

The CERT training program is a 20-hour course, consisting of five evening classes and covers:
•       Earthquake/Disaster Awareness
•       Preparation/Emergency Supplies
•       Hazard Awareness/Mitigation
•       Disaster Medicine
•       Disaster Psychology
•       Light Search and Rescue Techniques

As you can see, the information that you will learn in this training course is really great stuff. We all “intend” to do this “one day,” but how many of us actually do? Maybe it’s time for you to prepare you and your family for all types of disaster situations.

Two classes are currently scheduled: one in the South County beginning April 4, and one in Estero Bay (Los Osos, Morro Bay, and Cayucos) beginning May 2. Everyone is welcome to attend; you do not need to be a resident of these areas.

For more information on these classes call the Five Cities Fire Authority at (805) 473-5495, or for the Estero Bay class contact Cal Fire/ South Bay Fire Station # 15 at (805) 528-1053.

Bob Neumann is a retired San Luis Obispo Fire Chief.