By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail! Ben Franklin

R1

Individuals need to be proactive and get their emergency plan in place, for it is very likely no one will or can come to their aid for 72 hours following a disaster. This means that you should build an emergency supply kit including pet food and medical supplies, talk about a family emergency plan, be informed what disasters you might experience, and know how to turn off your gas and power. Your plan should include a text tree (using cell phones to contact friends and relatives), food, water, medicine, and shelter. First aid kits, flashlights and a battery or manually powered radio are also recommended. (F1)

R2

KNOW YOUR ZONE!: If the disaster is an earthquake and it shakes for more than 30 seconds, first and foremost, the main idea is to remain calm and try to get through the shaking: duck, cover and hold. You then need to decide what zone you are in, and if you are in a tsunami run-up zone, head immediately to higher ground and away from the coastline. In the mountains, watch for falling rocks, landslides, and/or falling trees (limbs). Know your way out in forest fire-prone areas. Know dangerous/past flood zone areas. (F1)

R3

The Office of Emergency Services should continue in its efforts to inform citizens of Humboldt County about the Community Emergency Response Training program to increase their knowledge of disaster survival techniques. (F1)

R4

The Board of Supervisors should work quickly to replace the retiring Office of Emergency Services Director to insure continuity in this very important position. (F2)