An important message from Councilwoman Schipske and firefighters

This weekend when you move your clocks forward for daylight savings time...don't forget to 

check your smoke detectors.

The International Association of Fire Fighters is urging people to change more than just the batteries in their smoke detectors when Daylight Savings Time begins March 10. They should also upgrade their smoke detectors to make sure their homes are equipped with photoelectric smoke detectors, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said.

According to IAFF: "Research has demonstrated that photoelectric smoke detectors are more effective at warning people of smoke from smoldering fires than ionization smoke detectors. With earlier warning, people have more time to escape a burning structure and enable a quicker call to 911. Photoelectric smoke detectors are less susceptible to nuisance alarms. To prevent nuisance alarms, citizens often disable smoke detectors and place themselves, other residents in a home or building and fire fighters at greater risk.

Smoke Detector (Photo credit: http://www.homespothq.com)

Photoelectric smoke detectors contain a light source and a light-sensitive electric cell. Smoke entering the detector deflects light onto the light-sensitive electric cell, triggering the alarm. These detectors are more sensitive to large particles given off during smoldering fires - the kind of fires that occur at night when people are asleep.

Ionization smoke detectors have a small amount of radioactive material and establish a small electric current between two metal plates, which sound an alarm when disrupted by smoke entering the chamber. But the technology leads to a delayed warning. That can lead to greater loss of life among people in a burning structure and fire fighters, who are faced with a more developed fire. A delayed warning during a smoldering fire, especially at night, can incapacitate people who are sleeping and lead to death as fire spreads. No home should be without a smoke detector, and ionization detectors should continue to be used until a home can be equipped with photoelectric detectors."

Related articles

• Weekend time change brings call to change smoke detector batteries
• News Release: Spring Forward; Change Your Clocks and Check Your Smoke Alarm Batteries This Weekend: http://1.usa.gov/P939N6
• NFPA: Test smoke alarms as Daylight Saving Time begins

4.4 Shake in Fontana

Fault types (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There was a 4.4 shake in Fontana which should remind us to make sure we are ready for when the big one hits.

For information and resources click on to www.readyla.gov.

Related articles

• 4.4-Magnitude Quake Strikes Near Fontana
• 4.4 quake hits near Fontana; no injuries reported - Los Angeles Times

Good Ideas for Seniors -- Get Ready

We all know the value of preparation, whether for an important meeting, a big game, hosting a party, insurance needs – and especially for emergency situations. By evaluating the state of your health, your current needs and what you might require in the event of a disaster, you can be ready for almost anything. Here are some things to consider: Identify the resources you use daily and what you might do if they become limited or unavailable. Make sure that you have an adequate supply of all your medications, to last you for a short period when refills may not be available. Prepare an emergency supply kit (review our section “Stocking Your Supply Kit”) Know the safest places in your home for each type of emergency and learn the best escape routes as well. Plan in advance for a temporary place to stay, in case you are forced to evacuate. If you own a pet, consider where that pet may stay if it is not allowed to accompany you to a shelter or to someone’s home where you will be a guest. Know where all of your medical, insurance and other important documents are located, and make sure they can be accessed quickly. If you have a communication disability, be sure that your emergency information explains the best way to communicate with you.

Our lives are enriched by good and loyal friends. This is especially clear during an emergency crisis. So create a support network of friends who can provide assistance for you, should you need it. Share every element of your disaster plan with your support network. Arrange for members of your support network to immediately check on you, should a disaster occur. Provide an extra house key to a member of your network. Provide copies of your important emergency documents, as well as a health insurance card. Let your support network members know where any emergency supplies are stored. Agree to a specific communication system for contacting one another. Let your support network members know when you are going out of town, and they should do the same for you. Practice your emergency plan together in a show of mutual support.

Hopefully, you will not have to leave your home in the event of a disaster. But even if you are instructed to stay at home, there are certain items you should have and precautions you should take. Keep an adequate water supply of at least one gallon per day. Water should be stored in unbreakable containers. Store non-perishable foods that are nutritious, easy to carry and ready to eat. Keep a manual can opener in one of your drawers. Have non-perishable food available for any pets that live with you. Make sure that you have a working flashlight, with backup batteries. Keep your cell phone charged so that you can use it if your land line becomes temporarily disconnected. Store a first aid kit in your home.

One of the most terrifying experiences is to be trapped by a fire. No matter which way you turn, you sense that there is no way out. But don’t panic…all is not lost, especially if you remember these few words of advice. Drop down to the floor and crawl because the air there is cleaner and less toxic. Most fatalities in a fire occur from smoke inhalation. Feel all doors before you open them; if a door is hot to your touch, look for an alternate way out. If your clothes catch on fire, drop to the floor and roll over and over to suffocate the flames. Do not stay around to “fight” the fire; call the fire department instead from a neighbor’s house or from your outdoor patio. If you are trapped in your house, move next to a window; try to signal for help. Never return to a burning building.

We all love the familiarity of home, where we can enjoy our certain routines and little pleasures. But there are times when it makes sense to leave home, at least for a little while. In fact, it could be a matter of life or death. Some of the more common indicators for evacuation are these: Your area is without electrical power for a prolonged period. Flood waters are rising. A chemical emergency is affecting your area. Your home has been seriously damaged. Emergency personnel instruct you to evacuate.

Many seniors are strong, healthy and capable of taking care of themselves. Others, however, may be ill or disabled, in need of assistance when an emergency situation occurs. If you are helping a senior during a disaster situation, keep these points in mind: Be calm and soothing, especially in situations where the elderly person may have become confused or disoriented by the disaster. Offer a comforting tone, as many elderly individuals are very hesitant to leave their homes, even when “riding out” the disaster is dangerous. Remember to ask the person you are helping whether they have any pets that need assistance too. Make sure that the senior you are assisting has all of his/her medications so those can be moved to safety as well. Be patient; keep in mind that elderly people move more slowly and stop occasionally.

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Get Ready Teachers

Class is in session, the day is moving forward uneventfully…then disaster strikes! Students are screaming, alarms are ringing and it seems as if you’re surrounded by circumstances totally out of your control. But wait a minute…take stock of the situation and act intelligently and decisively. Here are some important guidelines:

• In the event of an earthquake, teachers should give “drop, cover and hold” instructions.
• Evacuate the building in case of fire or immediately after an earthquake has occurred.
• Hold students in an assigned yard area, take a roll call and wait for further instructions. Report if anyone is missing.
• If telephones are working, call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.
• Set up and coordinate your first aid center
• In the event of a random shooting, try to lead students to the nearest exit. If that is not possible, lock your classroom door and tell students to duck down under their desks and remain quiet.
• Once the disaster is over, dismiss students to go home only with a parent or other authorized adult.
• Do not re-enter any of the school buildings until the area is pronounced safe.

ASPCA Has Pet Safety Pack

For those of you who are excited about the groundbreaking of the east side dog park in El Dorado Regional Park, it is important to remember that we need to get prepared in the event of the next earthquake

ASPCA has a Pet Safety Pack (https://www.aspca.org/form/free-pet-safety-pack?ms=wb_rig_petcaresection-generalsmall-201307&initialms=wb_rig_petcaresection-generalsmall-201307) that you should go on line and get. It includes stickers for your window to let first responders know there is a pet inside your home. The safety pack also includes an ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center magnet.

ASPCA has a number of great suggestions of how to get prepared. Check out their special website on this issue: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness

The Red Cross also has a printable check list for pet owners. Check here for the list: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/pet-safety

FEMA has produced an excellent brochure that you can download by clicking: http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/pets_brochure.pdf

Get prepared Long Beach!

Get Ready Business

English: Pass Christian, Miss., April 6, 2006 - Disaster preparedness publications in several languages are available through the FEMA Mitigation Division to show Gulf Coast residents how to minimize damage from hurricanes and other disasters. FEMA Mitigation reaches out to all population groups to encourage pre-disaster planning. George Armstrong/FEMA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Preparedness Planning for Your Business

Businesses can do much to prepare for the impact of the many hazards they face in today’s world including natural hazards like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and widespread serious illness such as the H1N1 flu viruspandemic. Human-caused hazards include accidents, acts of violence by people and acts of terrorism. Examples of technology-related hazards are the failure or malfunction of systems, equipment or software.

Ready Business will assist businesses in developing a preparedness program by providing tools to create a plan that addresses the impact of many hazards. This website and its tools utilize an “all hazards approach” and follows the program elements within National Fire Protection Association 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs. NFPA 1600 is an American National Standard and has been adopted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The five steps in developing a preparedness program are:

• Program Management
  • Organize, develop and administer your preparedness program
  • Identify regulations that establish minimum requirements for your program
• Planning
  • Gather information about hazards and assess risks
  • Conduct a business impact analysis (BIA)
  • Examine ways to prevent hazards and reduce risks
• Implementation
  Write a preparedness plan addressing:
  • Resource management
  • Emergency response
  • Crisis communications
  • Business continuity
  • Information technology
  • Employee assistance
  • Incident management
  • Training
• Testing and Exercises
  • Test and evaluate your plan
  • Define different types of exercises
  • Learn how to conduct exercises
  • Use exercise results to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan
• Program Improvement
  • Identify when the preparedness program needs to be reviewed
  • Discover methods to evaluate the preparedness program
  • Utilize the review to make necessary changes and plan improvements

Related articles

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Smartphone App | FEMA.gov

The White House just sent information on a new app for smartphones from FEMA. Check it out.



Smartphone App | FEMA.gov