Emergency Preparedness

Student name: Lin, Shiyu (Ashley)

May 15, 2015

Facing Natural Disasters

As we know, disasters accompany human history. The most common disasters include: tornados, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, drought, snowstorms and so on. These can cause people to suffer loss of their property, homes, or even lives. It is obvious to see that nobody can keep themself completely away from the natural disasters. We can’t stop them; however, we can lessen the harm from the disasters by making some preparations.

Firstly, stay informed. We should learn more information about the disasters and be aware of the most common kind in your area. What’s more, learning some basic first aid skills is important too. It is necessary to keep up to date on news. News is spread rapidly by media, especially the radio. We should also pay attention to the emergency broadcasting, which can help us survive if we are in danger. The shelters in our city should be noticed, because they will be a good place to stay if we don’t have anyplace else. Don't be late to make a plan to include them.

Secondly, make a plan. If you don’t know how to make a plan to survive a disaster, you can just gather the whole family and sit down with them to discuss what to do if the emergent situation happens. You ought to make sure that each member of your family knows what to do when the disaster suddenly comes. Let your families know exactly where the emergency items are located, choose a relative you can contact, and find a shelter nearby to meet, just in case. You can also make plans for the alternate paths to get out of the house, like going out of the window or using another exit other than the door.

Thirdly, please prepare an emergency kit for disasters. Items in an emergency kit should be simple but essential. Some items it should contain are: drinking water, flashlight, battery, ponchos, medicine, extra clothing, money, some dry food, etc. If you don't have time or energy to prepare all the items above, you should notice that water and food are the most vital things to keep you alive. I suggest that putting the bag close to the front door, which is easy to get when you are escaping. In addition, please don't be lazy to update your items in your emergency kit. Water needs to be change every 6 months or less depending on what kind of water you have. And dry food can usually be stored for longer, just check the expiration date.

In summary, there are some useful advices provided above. However, I have some personal opinions about it. Natural disasters are the power from nature. Human comes from nature as well. We share the same home — the earth. I prefer to protect our environment first rather than always fight with these powers. Of course, most of disasters are inevitable, but there are still some like drought, flood and global warming caused by human’s incorrect actions. We can save water in case of drought; we can protect the plants to prevent flood; we can reduce the number of vehicles to lower the temperature. It is necessary for us to make an effort for our planet even if just a little bit. I have imagined that if I encountered a disaster, I would definitely try my best to survive. What if I have done all the things but still trapped? I think I would just stay in peace with my family and let it be.

Emergency Preparedness

Jie Li

May 16, 2015

How to Face One of Nature’s Disasters :Earthquakes

We live in California, USA. That means that we can expect to be hit by earthquakes. Earthquakes are a shacking of the ground, caused by the sudden breaking and movement of large sections of the earth ‘rocky outmost crust. The edges of the tectonic plates are marked by a fault. Most earthquakes occur along the fault lines, when the plates slide past each or collide against each other. California is located on several of these fault lines. So there can be several earthquakes happening in one year. Even now, it’s not easy for experts to predict earthquakes, so it’s important to prepare for them. That includes learning about earthquakes before they happen. By taking some preventative steps, we can sometimes reduce the affect it has on us, like keeping our family safety and meantime to help someone else.

First, Stay informed. When earthquakes are happening frequently, you need to keep up to date on the news. Review your knowledge of earthquakes, and what to do when an earthquake happens. Get information about earthquakes. Check telephone numbers of people in your family, in case you need to contact them in an emergency.

Secondly, Make a plan. Everyone in my family has to remember the other people’s phone numbers. Once you lose your phone, you still contact people of family. Check the battery of the phone and charge it regularly. Sit down with your family and have a meeting. It’s a good idea to practice what to do. I put my plan on the wall to keep it in place. Let everyone know about the plans. Discuss with everybody what exit route to take to get out of the house. We have bought a rope and a ladder. In case of we can’t open the front door, we still get out from window. Everyone in my family has learned how to use the facilities. After the meeting, I have shown everyone where gas & water switch is and how to use the fire extinguisher.

Thirdly, prepare a disaster kit. Some important things are: food, water (for three days), bandages, extra clothing, a current list of my family phone numbers and e-mails including someone who can be reach if the local phone lines are down, a map (mark on evacuation route on it from my local area), and extra small bills, spare keys for house and car. It is also a good idea to keep copies of important documents together in a waterproof bag. You may need your passport, social security card, etc. Put all these things into sturdy backpack to carry, and let everybody in the family know where it is. When an earthquake happens, we can find it and carry it with us. Make sure that someone is in charge of the kit so they can check it and updated it regularly.

Finally, some other advice. First, install a windy bell. If an earthquake happens, it can wake us from sleeping and we can escape from house. Second, if you can’t get out, find a safe place where things won’t fall on you. You can improve your survival. Third, put sturdy shoes next to bed and put necessary clothes next to you. If the earthquake happens, you can get them quickly. Fourth, teach your children under eight years old and tell them parents’ name and phone number and address. And how to dial 911 and tell 911 key information.

In conclusion,

Name: Thao Do

Level: 05 Room: 107

Teacher: Maria Grubb

DISASTER PREPARATION

Natural disasters come in many forms, such as: earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, fires etc. These happen all over the world and humans can’t stop them. California in The United States is one of the places that have earthquakes and fires. These can interrupt your life and cause injury. That’s why we must prepare for these disasters, because they can happen at any time.

By practicing what you and your family will do if an earthquake occurs is a good start. Get under a table when the shaking begins. If you’re not near something that can cover you, should get into a ball and cover the back of your head with your arms. Stay away the glass windows or doors, it can break and fall on you. Move away from outdoor walls of building, you may be injured by debris. Do not use the elevator, because the electricity may go out.

Aim to save life. It’s a good idea to attend first aid classes from the Red Cross. They teach you how to control bleeding, care for shock, poisoning and help the injured. Give priority to save human lives rather than protecting non-living things. However, take care of yourself first, because this will allow you to help the others safety. During earthquakes, many people can be injured at the same time. That is why 911 can’t come immediately, or the lines can be busy.

Stay informed. You should turn on the TV or radio news, update the weather report every day and follow the instruction of local emergency officials. It’s important to meet and discuss with your family why you need to be prepared. Explain the dangers of earthquakes and develop a plan for moving quickly to a safe place where all of you need to go (Hotel or relative in safe location) and how to get out (by car or plane). Everyone should have each other’s contact information and other people who you know that live in another state or city. This is helpful so you have someone you can call and ask them about the status of earthquakes or if you think you may need assistance, will request for their help.

Prepare a disaster kit at home, in the car, and at your workplace. Include items such as: dry food, water, pads, a flashlight, protective clothing, sturdy shoes, medicines (diarrhea, Tylenol), pen, paper, cash, first aid kit etc. Always keep the water sealed in container. Once opened, use it and do not store. The foods, you should look for an expiration date or best by date on product. Normally, the lifetime of these one are around 6 months. Remember to keep the kit updated. Keep all of it in a convenient place, so you can grab it quickly in an emergency. Copy important documents and put them in the freezer. These can be: birth certificates, passports, bank account numbers, I.D cards and driver licenses.

By have good advance preparation; you will know what to do in case of an emergency. This is your best protection and it should not make anyone anxious. This is one of the most important factors that you must learn before a disaster occurs.

Name: Ella

Class: level 5

Date: 05/13/2015

PREPARE FOR A DISASTER

A disaster can happen anytime and occur to any part of Southern California. Natural disasters that are common to this area are earthquake and fires. When a disaster strikes, you could be anywhere – at work, at school or someplace else. It can happen quickly and the water, gas and electricity may immediately be cut off. That is why it is very important to prepare for a disaster in order to survive.

First, it is important to stay informed. You should keep up date on the news. Learn about disasters at school or on the Internet. You should know what your risks are and how to prepare in order to protect yourself and your family. Moreover, it’s a good idea to learn a little about first aid. This way you can help save a life if someone gets injured, since 911 may not be immediately available.

Second, you should make a plan. Sit down with your family and explain the dangers to your children and try to work with them as a team. Choose an “ out of town” contact; so you can all call them if the local phone lines are not working. Select a meeting location where you can meet if your home is not available. Teach them what to do if a disaster happens. You should draw floor plans of your home and show them how to get out, if the front door is blocked.

Finally, prepare an emergency kit for your family. By having this kit, you can stay safe and relatively comfortable during a disaster. Be sure it is stored close to a door where you can easily get to it. You can check on it it at least once per year to make sure it’s up to date. If you live in a colder climate you must think about packing jackets and warm blankets.

In conclusion, we must prepare so we can live with disaster and survive them.

Maria Ramirez D. Palacios

May 12, 2015

Preparing For an Earthquake

We have to prepare for earthquakes because they can happen at any time, like when you are driving. They can also happen anywhere, like in a restaurant or at work. This is especially true of Los Angeles. Even with today’s technology, we have no way of stopping these disasters from happening. Because earthquakes are common where we live, we have to be prepared in order to be safe.

First, stay informed. Learn about earthquakes, what they are, what they do and ways to protect your self. When an earthquake happens, it’s good advice to take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture and covering your head and neck with your hands. You also want to keep up with the news. Radio stations should offer emergency broadcasting and you can sign up to receive alert messages on your cell phone. Find out about local shelters where you can plan to stay if your home collapses or if there is a problem with it like leaks or damaged building.

Second, think about your family’s safety. If you have kids, make sure you tell them who to call in case of an emergency and where to meet them if they get separated from you. Make a emergency kit for your family and show your kids where it is. In that kit put the things that are most important, like a first aid kit, water, food, extra clothing etc. Everyone will have to know where it is stored, so you can get it fast and it won’t get damaged. You should also have copies of your important documents such as insurance, passports, birth certificates etc.

Thirdly, make a plan. ____________________________________

In conclusion, as long as you are prepared and follow these steps you increase your chances of being all right.