National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month is observed each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.
The State of California encounters the dangers of wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and a multitude of other natural and unnatural events which reinforces the importance of emergency preparedness and resiliency plans for your business. Unfortunately, we have seen all of these affect water quality monitoring programs.
Business and non-profit leaders along with their employees and volunteers, can do a lot to prepare for the most likely hazards they will face in the workplace. Planning and providing both education and training for volunteers and employees are crucial to disaster preparedness.
Many resources are available to assist with navigating each preparedness step. Understanding the importance of having preventative measures prepared can reduce the stressors caused by unexpected disasters and aid a comprehensive and effective response and recovery. Utilize these resources to 1) prepare yourself and your organization, and 2) educate and prepare your employees for disasters before they strike.
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Be Safe – Plan Ahead – Stay on Mission for Your Watershed
Ready Business helps you to create a preparedness plan to get ready for what comes next. (www.ready.gov/business).
Ready Business Toolkits The Ready Business Toolkit series includes hazard-specific versions for earthquake, hurricane, inland flooding, power outage, and severe wind/tornado. Toolkits offer business leaders a step-by-step guide to build preparedness within an organization.
Ready Business Plans The process for creating a business’ preparedness plans should encompass as much as possible of what a business might need during an emergency. This includes communications planning, IT support and recovery, and continuity plans. Ready.gov and FEMA have plans available that your business can use to get started.
Training and Exercises Being prepared in advance is a critical step to responding to an emergency and keeping your business and employees safe. Training, testing and exercises are essential components of preparedness. Training ensures that everyone knows what to do when there is an emergency or business operations are disrupted.
Getting Ready to Plan If your business doesn’t have a plan yet, or if you’re in the middle of reviewing plans, there are steps that business leaders can take to prepare their companies for the disaster that comes down next. Many disasters and hazards can’t be prevented, but you can take steps now to get ready to plan.
Other Resources A variety of resources are available to help your business be prepared for a disaster and recover stronger. Information to help you prepare and recover includes resources on incident management, resource management and hazard prevention.
Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency https://calosba.ca.gov/business-learning-center/manage/disaster-preparedness-and-resiliency/
Wildfire Preparedness - The State of California experiences thousands of wildfires every year. This ongoing threat means that the State’s residents must remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to prepare for when fires alight. While some areas are more susceptible to this danger, all business owners are recommended to develop contingency plans.
Earthquake Preparedness - Earthquakes can occur at a moment’s notice and require preliminary steps to reduce the damage they can cause. According to the United States Geological Survey, California is one of the 16 U.S. states with highest earthquake hazard ,so being prepared provides significant benefits in protecting your business.
Flood Preparedness - California experiences inland and river flooding following wildfires and drought conditions when the ground is severely dry and struggles to absorb extensive rainfall. Knowing the proper steps to take prior to, during, and immediate after a flood can help protect your business’s products and equipment.
Emergency Preparedness and Response - Emergencies can create a variety of hazards for workers in the impacted area. Preparing before an emergency incident plays a vital role in ensuring that employers and workers have the necessary equipment, know where to go, and know how to keep themselves safe when an emergency occurs. These Emergency Preparedness and Response pages provide information on how to prepare and train for emergencies and the hazards to be aware of when an emergency occurs. The pages provide information for employers and workers across industries, and for workers who will be responding to the emergency. www.osha.gov/emergency-preparedness
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Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. www.ready.gov/plan
Step 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan.
Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.
Step 3: Create a Family Emergency Plan
Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household
Build a kit. After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Download a printable version to take with you to the store. Once you take a look at the basic items consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors.
Disability intersects every demographic group—there are people with disabilities of all ages, races, genders or national origin. And, disabilities can impact a person in a variety of ways—both visible and invisible. For people with disabilities and their families, it is important to consider individual circumstances and needs to effectively prepare for emergencies and disasters.
Get Informed
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SAFETY SKILLS HELP PROTECT YOU, OTHERS AROUND YOU AND PROPERTY.
Learn First Aid and CPR - Take a first aid and CPR class. You can get more information about training from your local American Red Cross chapter. Getting certified protects you under Good Samaritan laws if you have to give first aid.
Learn to Use a Fire Extinguisher - Have at least one up-to-date fire extinguisher and let everyone in your household know where it's kept and how to use it. You should have an ABC type at minimum.
Know How to Shut-off Utilities:
Natural Gas - There are different gas shut-off procedures for different gas meter configurations, so it's important to call your gas company. They can help you prepare for gas appliances and gas service in the event of an emergency.
Water- Water quickly becomes a precious resource following many disasters. It is important that everyone in your household learn how to shut off the main water valve to the house.
- Find the shut-off valve for the main water line that enters your house and tag it for easy identification. Make sure everyone in your household knows where it is.
- Make you can shut the valve off completely. Your valve may be rusted open, or it may not close all the way. If so, replace it.
- Cracked lines may pollute the water supply to your house. It's a good idea to shut off your water until authorities say it's safe to drink.
Electricity - Electrical sparks can ignite natural gas if it is leaking. Teach all responsible individuals in your organization how to shut off the electricity.
- Locate your electrical circuit box. For your safety, always shut off all the individual circuits before shutting off the main circuit.
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RESOURCES
American Red Cross Training and Certification - The American Red Cross is dedicated to training people to respond to, and prepare for, emergencies. To empower people, we offer world-class CPR training in Riverside and throughout the state. Taught by experienced professionals, Red Cross classes are developed under the guidance of, and reviewed by, the Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. Course materials are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the latest techniques and information are included in every course we teach. www.redcross.org/take-a-class
California Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency https://calosba.ca.gov/business-learning-center/manage/disaster-preparedness-and-resiliency/
California OES- Planning, Preparedness, and Prevention – Cal OES’ Planning, Preparedness, and Prevention Directorate has a broad mission to oversee the state’s emergency planning. We do this by:
- Maintaining the California State Emergency Plan, continuity plans, and other state-level plans
- Maintaining the State Emergency Management System, California’s framework for emergency operations
- Providing guidance, technical assistance, and tools to government agencies and dam owners for emergency planning
- Offering training and exercise support in the areas of emergency management, public safety, homeland security, hazardous materials, disaster recovery, and crisis communications
- Educating Californians regarding all hazards and how they can be prepared.
Our mission may be broad, but it is focused on YOU—the people of California. Your safety is our main priority. Please explore these pages for valuable tips, tools, and resources. We want to help you, your community, and our state be better prepared for whatever comes our way. https://pfwt.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/planning-preparedness-prevention/
Ready - Launched in February 2003, Ready is a National public service campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. The goal of the campaign is to promote preparedness through public involvement. www.ready.gov/
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