Neighbors in Miracle Mile, La Brea Hancock and Sycamore Square kicked off September, National Preparedness Month, with a comprehensive session on earthquake preparedness. It was led by Sycamore Square Neighborhood Association president Conrad Starr, who also serves as the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council‘s Resilience Liaison and is a neighborhood lead in Battalion 18 of the city’s Community Emergency Response Team. Joining Starr as co-leaders were La Brea Hancock residents Tammy and Frank Rosato, and Miracle Mile resident Kari Garcia.
City Council Member David Ryu kicked off the meeting by stressing the importance of neighbors working together following an earthquake, because city resources may be deployed elsewhere, addressing the most severe situations. Ryu also noted that the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department has developed a program called Ready Your LA Neighborhood (RYLAN), which offers advice on how residents can organize and be more prepared for the next big disaster. The first step, he said, is “mapping” your neighborhood by creating a map showing where to find all the residents who have special needs and skills, etc. The service is free and available to all neighborhoods in the city.
Next, Starr presented a comprehensive review of possible disaster scenarios, and lots of resources for residents to get even more information. And Garcia provided a good infographic noting the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety.
Additional links from the presentation included:
- ArcGIS Hazards Map
- Earthquake Brace+Bolt (homeowners can register to be notified about the program)
- CalCap Seismic Safety Financing Program for Small Businesses
- Student Emergency Information Form
- Power Failure Light
- Motorola FRS Walkie-Talkie Radio
- 55-Gallon Water Storage: (many options on the site)
- Emergency Water for Car Kit
Finally, Starr reminded everyone that “we will be our own ‘first responders’ in the golden hour after the “Big One,” and invited everyone to register today for a Disaster First Aid Workshop with Marci Sandell (EMT, CERT) on September 24th  from 7-9 p.m.
The seminar will cover the following topics.
- The 3 Killers: Airway, Bleeding & Shock
- Hands Only CPR (discussion only)
- How to Triage
- Stopping the Bleed
- Bandaging / Splinting
- Use of a Tourniquet
- and much more…
“Here’s an opportunity to learn who to treat first, how to treat them, and how to keep minor injuries from becoming life-threatening,” said Starr.