Archive for Emergencies

Earthquakes…You Prepared?

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Over this past month we have experienced a few larger sized earthquakes. Luckily for our little mountain town none of them have caused any massive damage here. Earthquakes can be extremely destructive causing down power lines, loss of water, destruction of roads and homes. In the event of a massive quake in our area are we as prepared as we need to be for our survival?

Its great idea to think about how to earthquake proof our home now to minimize the extent of the damage. Starting with anchoring bookcases and large furniture to walls and install latches on drawers and cabinet doors to keep contents from spilling out. Learn more about our community’s disaster preparedness plans. Create a personalized family plan with escape routes and emergency meeting place. Its recommended to establish a contact person to communicate with concerned relatives and it is a good idea that this person be out of state because if all the local lines are tied up they can help. It is important that all adult and teenage family members know where the gas, electric and water main shutoff controls are in your home and how to turn them off if there is a leak or electrical short. Keep the tools necessary for emergency shut offs close by.

Put together an emergency kit and make sure all household members know where it is. Some important items to include in your kit are:

  • WATER – 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days. (Store a longer than 3-day supply of water, if possible).
  • FOOD – Store at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food for all members of your home, including pets. Include a non-electric can opener for canned food.
  • FLASHLIGHT/RADIO – You will need to be able to charge these items without electricity. Your flashlight and radio should be either hand-cranked or battery-powered, and stored with extra batteries.
  • MEDICAL – Include first aid kit, prescription and non-prescription/over-the-counter medications, and medical supplies.
  • SANITATION – Pack supplies for sanitation, such as hand sanitizer, towelettes, paper products, and plastic bags, to use if water resources become limited.
  • BATTERIES/CHARGING DEVICE – Include mobile cell charger it should be hand-crank, solar, or able to be charged from a car outlet. Batteries will be necessary for flashlights, radios, etc.
  • CLOTHING AND BLANKETS – Long sleeves and long pants, thick-soled shoes, and work gloves to protect yourself after the earthquake, and a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person, if you live in a cold-weather climate.
  • WHISTLE – Include a whistle to signal for help.
  • CASH – Store cash in case ATMs are not functioning after the earthquake.
  • FIRE EXTINGUISHER – Earthquakes can cause fires to break out; have a fire extinguisher so you can put out any small fires. Use a fire extinguisher only if you are physically capable
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Posted in: Customer Infomation, Emergencies, Pine Cove Water District

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Preparing an Emergency Evacuation kit.

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Fire season has started and there is only one way off the mountain. Now is the time to get prepared to evacuate encase of an emergency. It is a good idea to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car or to grab and go box that will be easily accessible for you and your family. Build an Emergency Evacuation Kit Including:

  • Water
  • Non-perishable food
  • Copies of prescription medications
  • Cell Phone chargers
  • Bedding including sleeping bags & pillows
  • Extra change of clothes
  • Bottled water
  • Battery operated radio
  • Extra batteries
  • Flashlight
  • First-aid kit
  • Copies of important documents( like your drivers license, SS card, proof of residency, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, etc.)
  • Pre-pack non-replaceable, personal items that you can quickly move to a vehicle if you are instructed to evacuate.

Talk to your family, make a plan!  Decide where to meet, where to stay, where you are going. If you have pets plan ahead for them as well and have prepared go bags for them. If you do not have a car, make a plan ahead of time…ask a friend or a neighbor ahead of time, if you can ride off the hill with them.   If you have a car, keep 1/2 tank of gas in it at all times.  If the power goes out, the stations may not be able to pump gas unless they have a generator and even then they may only be able to take cash payments. Remember, in case of an emergency the number one priority is safety first. Proper advanced preparations can ease the stress of evacuation and help you make sure all the necessities are not left behind or forgotten.

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Emergencies, Fire

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Preparing for an Emergency or Evacuation

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PRE-EVACUATION PREPARATION STEPS

Recent natural disasters can inspire awareness and the importance of emergency preparedness. In our neighborhood the threat of a wildfire is real and one could start at any moment. Fire can move fast and unpredictably. Preparing for an evacuation should begin before there is any danger. Everyone should have individual and family evacuation plans in place. Emergency planning may be different for every family but there are common necessities and planning should include all members of the family. If your household is under voluntary or potential evacuations, begin to prepare your home and get ready to leave.

 Assemble an emergency supply kit

 
Having supplies for each member of your household is an important step for evacuation preparation. Cal Fire recommends having a three-day supply non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person. Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses, a seven-day supply of medications and copies of important documents are also important to pack

  1. Place papers in sealed, waterproof plastic

  2. Store in a durable, sealed box. (A portable,fireproof and waterproof box or waterproof backpack is recommended.)

  3. Store box/backpack at home in a secure, easily accessible location.

    If you must evacuate:

    • Grab box and take with you.
    • Keep the box with you at all times.
    • Do not leave box unattended in your car.

What to include in your Grab & Go box

  • Copies of important documents: Birth Certificates, Drivers licenses, passports, House Deeds and Titles, Birth, death, adoption, and marriage certificates,Wills and/or trust documents and other irreplaceable document.

  • First two pages of previous year’s federal and state income tax returns

  • Cash or traveler’s checks for several days living expenses.

  • Back-up copies of computerized financial records

  • Emergency phone numbers

  • Employee-benefit documents.

  • Copies of important health record and prescriptions: Copies of health, dental, and/or prescription insurance cards or numbers.

  • Copies of children’s immunization records.

  • Copies of auto, flood, renter’s or homeowner’s insurance policies (at least policy numbers).

  • Home inventory. (document and take pictures of properties and possessions)

  • Any sentimental  jewelry or photos (flash drive or CD is best)

 Inside the House

  • Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked.

  • Remove flammable window shades, curtains and close metal shutters.

  • Remove lightweight curtains.

  • Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.

  • Shut off gas at the meter; turn off pilot lights.

  • Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.

  • Shut off the air conditioning.

Outside

  • Gather up flammable items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, etc.) or place them in your pool.

  • Turn off propane tanks.

  • Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures.

  • Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. Fill water buckets and place them around the house.

  • Don’t leave sprinklers on or water running, they can affect critical water pressure.

  • Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night.

  • Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle.

  • Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you.

  • Have a ladder available and place it at the corner of the house for firefighters to quickly access your roof.

  • Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.

  • Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation. Don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel threatened.

  • Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave.

Animals

  • Locate your pets and keep them nearby.

  • Prepare farm animals for transport and think about moving them to a safe location early.

In the event of emergency Remember safety first. If you are well prepared in advance the evacuation process can be less stressful and scary.

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Posted in: Around the District, Company News, Customer Infomation, Emergencies, Fire, Fire Danger, From the Office, Hazardous Weather Outlook, High Wind Warning

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Office Closures for the upcoming holiday season

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Pine Cove Water District would like to wish everyone a very happy holiday season. The Office will be closed on December 25th and 26th for Christmas.  We will also be closed For New Years Day Monday January 1st . If you have a water emergency, there will be someone on call.  You can call the office and listen to the recorded message or call 951-294-8282, which is our emergency number.  Remember, this number is for true water emergencies only.  Please wait until the following business day to call about any other non-emergency water issues.  Our normal business hours will resume as usual from 9am until 4pm the following business day after the holidays.

We Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us here at PCWD!

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Posted in: Around the District, Company News, Customer Infomation, Emergencies, From the Office, Holidays, Pine Cove Water District, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events

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Cert Training

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I have completed the CERT training that was held at the Nature Center on May 16th, 17th and 18th.  It was an intense, 20 hour course on emergency preparedness.  They cover a lot of information in 20 hours and at the very least, you will learn how to take care of yourself and your family after a disaster.   Some people will go on to form teams and help their community after a disaster.  The main focus is on being prepared and keeping yourself and your family safe as well as how to help others in a safe way.  We learned what is safe for us to do and what is not.  CERT team members cannot do the same things that trained fire fighters or paramedics can do, however, they are an important link between those who need assistance and the professionals.

Any adult can take CERT training classes regardless of their physical abilities.  After a disaster there are many jobs to be done and there is something for everyone to do.  Perhaps you can’t perform physical rescues, but you could do paper work.  CERT is not just about running into buildings and saving people or putting out fires.  While those things are important, there are many other tasks that need done as well. Volunteers trained in CERT also offer a potential workforce for performing duties such as shelter support, crowd control and evacuation. The role of a CERT volunteer is to help themselves and to help others until trained emergency personnel arrive.

And even if all you learn is how to take care of yourself and your family, that is a huge help after a disaster because it means you are part of the solution and not part of the problem.  By being prepared and taking care of yourself and your family, you are freeing up resources that can be used elsewhere.  After a disaster, there will be so much need that emergency services will be stretched to their limits and here on the hill, we will be one of the last areas to receive help because there will be so much need off the hill.   I believe the ratio quoted to us was one emergency services person for every 1500 people.

So, as you can see, it will be rough getting help after a disaster.  It is best to be prepared to fend for yourself for several days, if not a week or more.  Learn what to do and how to prepare now.  Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.  Next time there is a CERT training class, sign up and go.  It is free of charge and you will take away tons of helpful information.  An investment of one weekend, could save you or someone you love’s life.

Here is a link to their websites so you can read all about CERT, the training and what it’s purpose is.

www.riversideca.gov/readyriverside/cert/

rivcocert.webs.com/

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