The recent earthquake that struck in the Chino Hills area was a stark reminder that we need to be ready for the “Big One.”  Are we ready?  For the most part, most of us aren’t.

The Santa Ana Fire Department, in conjunction with the Santa Ana Police Department, runs a local version of a national program called CERT – Community Emergency Response Team. 

I completed the CERT training class at the Santa Ana Fire Department in April of 2006, over the course of nine weeks.  Because I am a Safety Director for a large company based in Orange, I am already highly trained in safety.   I am a First Aid & CPR trainer, and I am also an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) safety trainer. 

However I still learned a lot while completing the CERT program.

Here is what the federal government has to say about the CERT program:

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

When you complete the CERT program you receive a backpack with supplies and an official CERT hard hat and vest.  And you can be called upon by the Santa Ana Fire Department in an emergency, to assist in helping your neighbors and fellow residents during an emergency.

Here are a few tips you can use to better prepare your family for an emergency:

1. Make sure to have a large supply of drinking water available.  You can easily stack flats of water bottles in your garage, and use them as you normally do, replenishing them as you go.  Other options include special rubber containers with drinking water and larger bottles of water.
2. Emergency food rations are also important!  Be sure to write the date you bought them and the date they expire on the packages.
3. Invest in a tool to shut off your natural gas supply. 
4. Place flashlights in strategic locations throughout your house.
5. Be sure to talk to your family about safety during emergencies and have a family plan as to what to do for specific emergencies, such as earthquakes and fires.
6. And have cash set aside as a reserve – if the ATM machines go down you will need that extra money.

The company I work for is a restoration and environmental abatement contractor.  I managed safety for over 300 workers in New Orleans during the clean-up effort after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  We are mobilizing now for Hurricane Gustav.  I have a great appreciation for emergency preparedness as a result of these experiences and I greatly value our brave men and women who work to ensure our safety as members of our local fire and police departments. 

I encourage you to find out more about the Santa Ana CERT program. 

If you have any questions about emergency preparedness please email me or call me at (714) 606-7622.

Links:
Federal CERT: https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/
Santa Ana CERT: http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/fire/CERT.asp
Orange County Red Cross: http://www.oc-redcross.org/

-- Art Pedroza, Candidate for Santa Ana City Council, Ward 3

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