Are You Ready for the Big One?

Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield hosted a resource fair and workshop on emergency preparedness Saturday at the . September is National Preparedness Month, a government initiative aimed at raising awareness on how to deal with a hurricane, earthquake or other major disaster, and how to help your neighbors do the same.

The American Red Cross, the California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Encino Chamber of Commerce and several pet welfare organizations had booths at the fair.

Blumenfield formed an emergency response team called the Valley Prep Task Force when he was elected nearly three years ago, and it's still going strong.

“I’m proud of this group of community leaders who have volunteered to be a part of my Valley Prep Task Force,” Blumenfield said. “And they do a great job to make sure everyone is prepared for the disaster that is coming. Being prepared is one of the most important things a representative of the community, like myself, needs to do.”

Blumenfield served as a legislative director for U.S. Rep. Howard Berman when the Northridge earthquake struck the Valley in 1994. He said preparedness is a large part of what his staff does. His office plans to double the number of volunteer community members as first responders to major disasters.

The fair and workshop included presentations by the American Red Cross and the Southern California Gas Co., as well as emergency planning for pets by El Dorado Hills-based Noah’s Wish. There was also advice on how to build an emergency-preparedness kit.

Nancy Lyon, a volunteer preparedness educator with the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, offered many tips.

Lyon said in preparing for a disaster, one gallon of drinking water should be set aside for every person; if power is cut off, the plan should also include canned food that can be eaten without cooking for at least three to five days.

She talked about having extra medication on hand in case of a disaster.

“Know what your needs are going to be for you and your family,” Lyon said.

Being prepared also includes planning an evacuation from your home, office and neighborhood, choosing a meeting place to reunite with loved ones or co-workers and making kits that include first-aid supplies, flashlights and radios, she said.

Lyon said it's essential to practice escape routes and fire drills from homes, offices and neighborhoods at least twice a year and to have an out-of-town contact with whom you and your family can exchange messages in case you become separated.

For more information on Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield's disaster preparedness planning, click here.