Surviving an Earthquake Matanuska-Susitna Borough - PowerPoint Presentation

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Surviving an Earthquake

Matanuska-Susitna BoroughDepartment of Emergency ServicesDivision of Emergency Management

Presented by Allen Markle

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Surviving an Earthquake

OverviewHazard and Risk AssessmentPreparedness

HomeWorkPetsCommunityGo Kits

CommunicationFinanceStructural Mitigation at HomeTrainingResponse

Drop, Cover and Hold-onStructural AssessmentCare for InjuredSuppress the hazards

Report Damage to Public Safety Officials

Recovery

Re-unification Backup FacilityMental Health

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Surviving an Earthquake

School Damages

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Surviving an Earthquake

Damages

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Surviving an Earthquake

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Surviving

an EarthquakeShould you be concerned about earthquakes? YES!Unlike other natural disasters, earthquakes occur without warning and cannot be predicted

Earthquakes affect every part and community in Alaska, including the watersWhy do earthquakes happen in Alaska?The landmass beneath the Pacific Ocean is one of a few dozen tectonic plates that make up the earth’s crust

The Pacific Plates push a couple inches towards Alaska and the North American Plate each year. Where these plates meet the Pacific Plate is thrust under the buoyant continental rocks of Alaska…this is called subductionTectonics in Southeast are driven by movement of the Pacific Plate, but in a side-to-side motion…this is called fault slip

The northwest motion of the Pacific Plate exerts tremendous forces on Alaska, compressing the land in a north-south direction and tugging southern Alaska to the westAlaska is crosscut by numerous fault systems to accommodate compression and shearing

How many earthquakes and how large?

The Alaska Earthquake Center detects, on average, an earthquake every fifteen minutes

Nov 2018: 3,675 detected, largest was M7.1, Jan 2019: 4,264 detected, largest was M5.9Alaska has had 3 of the 12 largest ever recorded

Magnitude 6 or higher can happen anywhere in the state

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Surviving an Earthquake

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Hazard and Risk Assessment

Hazard: A source of dangerSeismicStructural

EnvironmentImpactVulnerability: Open to attack or damageWhere am I most vulnerable at home, work, or travelUtilities

Roadway/BridgesMitigation: The effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impactBuilding codes (structural, water heater, gas shut off valves)

PreparednessTrainingDo not travel to hazard zoneConsequence Management: Actions taken to maintain or restore essential services

Go bags

Communication

Backup resourcesRisk: The possibility of loss or injury

ProbabilityWhat risks are you willing to take?

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Home Preparedness

HomeMake a family planSign up for warnings and alertsMake a plan (ready.gov)

Know safe spots in every roomSave money for a rainy dayPractice emergency earthquake drillsTest family communications plan

Safeguard documentsPlan with neighborsKnow evacuation routes and where go kits are locatedFood/water/medicine/first aid kit

Document and insure property

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Pet Preparedness

PetsFood: Keep 7 days in an airtight, waterproof containerWater: Store 7 days specifically for your pet

Medicine/Medical Records: Keep an extra supply in waterproof containerFirst Aid Kit: Tailored to your pet’s medical needs. Include pet first aid reference bookCollar with ID Tag, Harness and Leash: Pet should wear rabies tag and ID tag at all times. Especially after a disaster to re-unify with owners and help ID they are not a public health risk to populations

Important Documents: Place copies of pet’s registration info, adoption, vaccinations, medical records in clean plastic bag or waterproof containerCrate or other pet carrier: If you need to evacuate to an emergency shelter with may help transport and housing. Pets ARE NOT allowed in all shelters, secure lodging in advance

Sanitation: Litter and litter box, newspapers, paper towels, plastic bags, household cleaning supplies Picture of You and Your P

ets: Helps in re-unification with family members. Include detailed info, breed, age, species, sex, color, etc… Consider microchipping

Familiar Items: Favorite toys and bedding to help reduce stress

Identify in your family disaster plan who is responsible to evacuate which pet and how you will assemble pets. Have a list of veterinarian services available

Livestock: Arrange holding area large enough for herd. Maintain herd information, to include financial report

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Work preparationsNatural disaster impact

Immediate: 40% small businesses will not re-openOne year: 25% more small businesses will closeThree years: 75% of all small businesses without a CoB Plan will failAverage DAILY loss of a business that closes due to disaster

$3,000 small business$23,000 medium-sized businessWhy are these important?Small businesses account for 99% of all companies

Employ 50% of all private sector employees

Work Preparedness

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Business Impact AnalysisHazard

VulnerabilityMitigationConsequence managementRecovery StrategyIdentify and documents resource requirementsGap analysis

Recovery strategies Develop a PlanHow to continue to operateRelocation IT

Take ActionTrain employeesExercise Re-evaluate

Work Preparedness

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Back-to-Business Self-Assessment questions for impacts analysisCan you operate without computers, fax, equipment, cash register, card readers, inventory (how long will on-hand resalable inventory last)

Can you operate without utilities, internet, wifi, power, water, gasCan you still operate without access to the damaged buildingCan you pay employees, for how long and will they return

Can employees commute to work or telecommuteIs business still accessible to customers, deliveries, employeesHow to communicate with employees, vendors, customers

Do you need to relocateHave you set priorities of workAre suppliers up and running and have sufficient suppliesAre you able to ship products

Do you still have customers/clientsWill your losses be too much to survive if closed for 3 to 7 days

Work Preparedness

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Community for emergency planners is defined by geographical boundariesLess than 10% of residents actively participate in local government activity

There are numerous communities with a “community”NeighborhoodsHOAs, cul-de-sac, street, districtsFaith basedChurch groups

Hobby basedCar, ski, airplane clubs, crafts, the sky is the limit…if it’s out there there’s a club for itPersonalFamily and friends

ProfessionalCo-workers, Unions, PTAs, whatever your family line of work there is an association for itSocial MediaCan help in preparedness, but must consider geographic separation and mostly less personal than local community

Volunteer, volunteer, volunteerAmerican Red Cross, CERT, COADKnow your jurisdiction’s and employer’s emergency plans and how they may affect you

Community Preparedness

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Car, work, and homeFood & water. Prefer 7 days worth

Shelter/warmthKeep in mind time of yearVehicle kitMoneyMedicationsSanitationFirst Aid

Flashlight and/or lanterns with batteriesCandlesWhistleRadioBasic toolsFire extinguisher

Plastic sheeting and duct tape for windows/openings (home)

Go Kits Preparedness

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“What if something happens and I’m not with my family?” “Will I be able to reach them?” “How will I know they are safe?” “How can I let them know I’m OK?” During a disaster, you will need to send and receive information from your

familyCommunication networks, such as mobile phones and computers, could be unreliable during disasters, and electricity could be disrupted. Planning in advance will help ensure that all the members of your household—including children and people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, as well as outside caregivers—know how to reach each other and where to meet up in an

emergencyText vs cell call

School, childcare, caregiver emergency plansNeed to know their plans and how to stay informed. Make sure all family members know what to do in case of loss of communications. Keep information up-to-date with institution

Have an out-of-town contactSomeone who can act as a central point of contact for re-unificationEmergency meeting placesIndoor

In your neighborhood

Outside of your neighborhood

Outside of your town or cityIn what circumstance to meet, family could be geographically separated…what is the trigger point?

Maintain all important numbers/contacts. Utilities, Insurance, and DoctorsMake copies of the family communication plan for each member of your family to carry in his or her wallet, backpack, purse, cell phoneMake sure all members and out-of-town contact know how to text, create chat/email group, and alternate ways to communicate

Discuss what to text, “I’m OK, At Library”. Short abbreviated messagesConserve any mobile phone batteries. Keep remote chargers at full charge.

Communications Preparedness

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Financial Preparedness

Compile important documents and contactsHardcopy and electronicReview your insurance policies and financial paperwork to be sure they are accurate

Homeowners and Renters insurance adequateHave a copy of leaseSafeguard paper and electronic files

Fireproof containersPassword protectedPeriodically print out pay statements and billsMay have a trusted agent to have a paper copy of info

UpdateUpdate all records on a regular scheduleTax preparation time, Start/Stop daylight saving time, birthday, new year, etc.Changes to be made, change insurance provider, purchase home/rent, open/close bank account, marital status, have a child, children change schools, retirement, etc.

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Building codesExterior

Chimneys, facades, overhangs, brick, foundationUtility systemsGas lines/connections, water, duct work, electric, well/septic systemInteriorFoundation walls, drywall, cabinets, stairsSecure heavy objects to wall

Appliances, furniture, water heaters, shelvingSecure hanging objectsEspecially over beds, sofas, chairsKnow where and how to shut off utilities

Home Structure Mitigation Preparedness

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Seek out individual training opportunitiesFEMA

First AidAmerican Red CrossCERTAll family members should train and practice earthquake drillsParticipate in workplace emergency drills Know school and daycare emergency plans/drills and expectations for re-unification procedures

Training Preparedness

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Drop, Cover and Hold-onOn knees

Protect head/neckHold on to furnitureCurl into ballTurn away from windows/mirrorsClose eyesIf wheelchair bound, roll into protected area, apply brake, cover head & eyes

Caregivers and rescuers need to drop, cover and hold-on too

If inside…Stay inside If outside…Stay outsideIn a car or busPull over to safe location

Stop and stay thereKeep seat belt onAfter shaking stops, assess the situation

If you are in a high-rise building, expect fire alarms and sprinklers to go off. Do not use elevators

If near slopes, cliffs, or mountains, be alert for falling rocks and landslides

Response

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Compromise of structures is a major concern during an earthquake. When shaking stops it is important to do an immediate visual “common sense” structural assessment before you move

If trapped in rubble, cover your mouth. Send text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shoutingCheck yourself for injuries and care for others when safe to do soSuppress the hazardsShut off gasExtinguish fires

Shut off electricImmediate report situation/damages to Public Safety OfficialsExpect aftershocksDo not enter damaged buildings

Save cell phone for emergency calls, otherwise textMonitor local programming for further instructions

Response

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Use extreme caution during post-disaster clean-up of buildings and around debris. Do not attempt to move heavy objects by yourself

Be aware of exhaustion, drink water, wear PPE, wash thoroughly & oftenRe-unification of family…at least communicationWhat location to meetBackup locationDoes family or work need to relocate to a secondary, safe location

Does family need to evacuate to local shelter, if so whereReturn to home only when authorized by authoritiesInsurance/Finance in orderHave a professional inspect your dwelling for safety

Recovery

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Understand effects

Everyone who sees or experiences a disaster is affected in some wayNormal to feel anxious about own safety and that of familyProfound grief, sadness, and anger are commonAcknowledging feelings help recoveryFocus on your strengths

Accept help from community and othersEveryone has different needs and different ways of copingChildren and older adults are of special concern in the aftermath of disasters. Even individuals who experience a disaster “second hand” through exposure to extensive media coverage can be

affectedContact local faith-based organizations, voluntary agencies, or professional counselors for counseling. Additionally, FEMA, state and local governments of the affected area may provide crisis counseling

assistanceMental Health Recovery

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Helping Kids Cope with Disasters

Disasters can leave children feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Whether a child has personally experienced trauma, has merely seen the event on television or has heard it discussed by adults, it is important for parents and teachers to be informed and ready to help if reactions to stress begin to occur

Children may respond to disaster by demonstrating fears, sadness or behavioral problems. Younger children may return to earlier behavior patterns, such as bedwetting, sleep problems and separation anxiety. Older children may also display anger, aggression, school problems or withdrawal. Some children who have only indirect contact with the disaster but witness it on television may develop distress

Suggestions to help reassure children include the following:Personal contact is reassuring. Hug and touch your childrenCalmly provide factual information about the recent disaster and current plans for

ensuring their safety along with recovery plansEncourage your children to talk about their

feelings

Spend extra time with your children such as at

bedtimeRe-establish your daily routine for work, school, play, meals, and

restInvolve your children by giving them specific chores to help them feel they are helping to restore family and community life

Praise and recognize responsible behaviorUnderstand that your children will have a range of reactions to disasters

Encourage your children to help update your a family disaster plan

Mental Health Recovery

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Surviving

an EarthquakeSummary

Know your hazards, how can you mitigate those hazards, and most importantly, what risks are you willing to take?Prepare your home, to include pets, your work, your community, have go kits, and seek out training or volunteerWhen an earthquake happens respond by Drop, Cover, and Hold-on, assess your surroundings, suppress the hazards, and report

After an earthquake, recover by reunifying family, arrange living accommodations, talk with insurers and FEMA, and ensure yourself, family and friends understand the physiological effects

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Surviving an Earthquake

Please go to www.ready.gov for resources and templates for disaster planning.