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Community Emergency & Disaster Preparedness
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See what the City is doing to Prepare for a Flood: Click here to watch
“Be Storm Ready” Public Service Announcement (PSA)
Pismo Beach Sandbag Station Location (Bags and shovel will be provided on site):
1) 550 Frady Lane
Watch a video by California Department of Water Resources on the proper way to fill and use sand bags
Whether it is floods, fires, earthquakes or influenza, emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. It’s not always possible to avoid these emergencies, but you can be prepared.
PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS
• It is important to be equipped to support yourself, your family and your pet(s) for up to 3 days after an emergency situation.
• Having an emergency plan and a 72-hour emergency kit prepared will help you until emergency personnel can assist you and allows
emergency responders to focus their efforts on those who are in immediate danger.
• The City of Pismo Beach has the Pismo Pulse App that that will send out emergency alerts. This app is free and can be downloaded by both iPhone and Android devices.
Many businesses require additional preparation to deal with a major event or disruption. A disruption could be a major disaster affecting the entire city or it could be as simple as a power outage. A disaster plan is essential to your businesses resiliency during and after a disaster strikes.
Know the Risks
While it's not always possible to avaoid emergencies, you can limit the impact of a disaster on your business.
During severe weather your business may be at risk of experienceing weather-related disruptions, such as thunderstorms or flooding. Severe weather has the potential to cascade into other disruptive events such as power outages and road closures.
Ensure the City has the contact information for your business, including the phone number for someone who has the keys to your property. This will be helpful in the event of disaster response and cleanup.
Think about the following questions:
1. Do yo know if your property is at risk for flooding?
2. Is your property insured to cover flooding?
3. What would you do if the power went out?
4. Do your employees know how to shelter-in-place?
5. Do you have a muster point in case of an evacuation?
6. If your supply chain experienced a disruption, would you know how long you could continue to operate for?
7. Do you have a backup of important files in a secure location?
8. If your phones stopped working, how would you manage?
9. What would you do if your employee were unable to come to work during a pandemic?
10. During flu season, how would you prevent the spread of the flu at work?
11. Do you know what to do in case of a bomb threat or a suspicious package?
12. Do you have a firewall? Do your employees have anti-virus software on their mobile devices?
Why should I have a plan?
Not all risks are insurable. A business continuity plan will give you the best chance of staying open for business during a disruption, and will make it easier to resume normal operations afterward.
Among many other benefits, a plan will reduce the losses you might experience during a disruption. You will also improve your dealings with banks, creditors, investors and insurers by showcasing your appetite for business resilience.
Educate employees
Minimize risks in the workplace by keeping a First Aid kit and an automated external defibrillator (AED) on the premises. To ensure that employees know how to use them, consider offering First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) courses. Courses are available from the American Red Cross.
Have an evacuation plan
Medical emergencies aren’t the only kinds of emergencies that can happen at work. If you had to evacuate your workplace, would your employees know where to go? Make an evacuation plan and ensure that all employees are familiar with it. Holding fire drills every month is a good way to make sure all employees know how to evacuate the building. You can also review these fire safety tips for work with your employees.
Prevent the spread of illness
You can prevent the spread of illnesses such as the flu by promoting proper hand washing and encouraging employees to sanitize shared vehicles and workstations regularly.
The City of Pismo Beach understands that being prepared in an emergency leads to a stronger, more resilient community. There are things you can do in your community to prepare for an emergency.
The safest and most resilient communities:
1. Know the risks that exist in their communities.
2. Have residents who can help both themselves and others.
3. Know that safety and resiliency is a long-term goal and a shared responsibility.
Be aware of hazards in your community
Be prepared personally
Download Helpful Documents
Don’t Let Earthquakes Catch You Off Guard -- Sign up for Free Earthquake Warnings
Earthquake Warning California is managed by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and is the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system. The warning system is designed to give California residents a few moments warning to take cover before shaking occurs.
To receive earthquake warnings, Californians can download the free MyShake App, which is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play store.
To learn more about Earthquake Warning California or for industry/business resources to help spread the word with your employees, customers, and the public, visit earthquake.ca.gov.
What is in a 72-hour kit?
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Bottled water | Store one gallon per person per day. Ideally, you should replace the water twice annually. |
| Food | A minimum of 3 days' food that won't spoil and requires minimal preparation, such as canned or dried food and energy bars. Be sure to check expiration dates regularly. Add a can opener in your kit and possibly a portable camping stove, do not use indoors. |
| Medication | Include any prescription medication that family members take. Be sure to refresh regularly. If extra medication cannot be store be sure to take it with you if you need to evacuate. |
| First Aid kit | First Aid kits are essential items for your kit. These usually sold pre-assembled and can range in size. Choose one based on the size and medical needs of your family. |
| Wind-up flashlight and radio | These are available at many outdoor equipment stores and online. If you choose to use a batter-operated flashlight or radio, be sure to stock extra batteries and replace annually. |
| External battery pack or wind-up cell phone charger | You could be without power for days, or you may have to evacuate. It's important that you have use of your cell phone to call for help or receive information/updates. |
| Dust masks and duct tape | These may help protect you in a disaster and can help during a shelter-in-place. |
| Whistle | A whistle will help attract attention if needed. |
| Personal sanitation items | Consider including moist towelettes, garbage bags and toilet paper. |
| Warm clothes and blankets or sleeping bags | Blankets or sleeping bags can keep you warm and give you comfort in the event of an evacuation. |
| Important Documents | Have emergency contact information as part of your family's emergency plan. Store this information and important documents in your 72-hour kit. Consider digital copies of documents, photos and music. Remember to update regularly. |
| Cash in small bills and coins | If power is out debit and credit cards may not work. You may want coins in case you need to use coin-operated laundry facilities. |
| Baby supplies and pet items | If applicable, stock your kit with baby food, diapers, formula, extra clothes and baby wipes. If you have a pet, know your pet evacuation plan and have items for your pet in your kit. |
| Entertainment | Consider including non-power consuming entertainment such as games, cards or books. |
Preparing for an emergency with a mobility disability
Being prepared before disaster strikes is the best way to manage an emergency situation. For someone who has reduced mobility, emergency planning requires some additional planning. The following information will help you start planning for an emergency.
Build a support network
Emergency situations can be very stressful. Creating an emergency contact list will make it easier for you to know who to call and where you can go. Keep a copy of this list in your emergency kit and on your person.
As part of your family emergency plan, you should have contacts both in and out of the city who can help you and your family in an emergency. Include the names, phone numbers and addresses of these people in your phone and 72-hour kit.
Plan for an evacuation
•Familiarize yourself with all escape routes, emergency exits and emergency equipment in your home. If you live in an apartment building, try to live on the lower floor if possible.
•If you are in a wheelchair, know how much it weighs and if it can be easily transported. Know of several different ways to exit a building in the event that elevators are not working or your main route is compromised.
•If you use a motorized wheelchair or scooter, store a lightweight manual wheelchair as a possible backup.
•Evacuation devices can be used if you have to leave a wheelchair behind. Lightweight chairs can be used to carry you downstairs.
•Be prepared to give brief instructions regarding how to move you, should it be required.
Build an emergency kit
In addition to storing food, water, a First Aid kit, important documents and other basic items, you should start thinking about any additional items you might need in your kit. What do you use on a daily basis? What would you need if you had to leave your home for a long period of time?
•If applicable, consider including a tire patch kit, seal-in-air product, inner tubes, a backup battery and spare catheters.
•Keep a pair of heavy gloves in your kit o use while wheeling or making your way over glass and debris.
Preparing for an emergency with vision loss
Being prepared before disaster strikes is the best way to manage an emergency situation. For someone who is blind or has reduced vision, preparing for an emergency may involve more specific planning. The following information will help you start planning for an emergency.
Build a support network
Emergency situations can be very stressful. Creating an emergency contact list will make it easier for you to know who to call and where you can go. As part of your family emergency contact plan, you should have contacts both in and out of the city who can help you and your family in an emergency. Include the names, phone numbers and addresses of these people in your phone and 72-hour kit.
In addition to having friends and family you can call in an emergency, you may want become familiar with other resources. Saving the following numbers in your phone will make it easier to get the help you need right away.
Power: Call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 if your power goes out.
Gas: Call 9-1-1 or SoCal Gas at 1-800-427-2200 if you smell gas.
Poison: Call 1-800-222-1222 to reach the Poison Control Center.
Know your escape routes
Knowing all your escape routes at home and at work will ensure that you can exit the building quickly and safely in an emergency. Develop your home escape plan and learn more about apartment building fire safety from CalFire.
Build an emergency kit
During a major emergency or disaster, responders may be busy assisting those in immediate need. A 72-hour kit holds supplies to support you in the first three days of an emergency. Make sure the kit is easily identified and accessed. If it would be helpful, label emergency supplies with large print, fluorescent tape or Braille.
What do I need to put in my kit?
Print the 72-hour kit checklist and check off items as you accumulate them.
•If you use a cane, consider having extras in your kit, at home and at school or work.
What else do I need in an emergency?
The following list will help you think about the additional you might need in your emergency kit. Think about the items you use on a daily basis and which ones you would need if you had to leave your home for a long period of time.
•If applicable, store a three-day supply of food and water for your service animal.
•Talking or Braille clock
•If possible, you may want to include any assistive technology you use to access information
•Spare glasses
•Cane
•Medic alert bracelet
If you have impaired vision, consider installing security lights in each room to light paths of travel. These lights plug in to outlets and light up automatically if there is a loss of power. Depending on the type, they will continue to operate and can be used as a flashlight.
Preparing for an emergency with a hearing disability
Being prepared before disaster strikes is the best way to manage an emergency situation. For someone who is deaf or has a hearing impairment, preparing for an emergency may involve more specific planning. The following information will help you start planning for an emergency.
Build an emergency kit
During a major emergency or disaster, responders may be busy assisting those in immediate need. A 72-hour kit holds basic supplies like food and water to support you in the first three days of an emergency. In addition to storing food, water, a First Aid kit, important documents and other basic items, you should start thinking about any additional items you might need in your kit. What do you use on a daily basis? What would you need if you had to leave your home for a long period of time?
•Extra hearing aids and additional batteries - missing or damaged hearing aids will be difficult to replace or repair after a major disaster
•Pen, paper and pre-printed messages
•If applicable, store a three-day supply of food and water for your service animal
What else do I need to consider?
•Maintain batteries in your TTY Devices
•Familiarize yourself with all escape routes, emergency exits and emergency equipment in your home
•Sign up to receive emergency alerts to stay informed in an emergency or download our Pismo Pulse app.
•Have an emergency plan
•Make an emergency contact list with this Emergency Contact Sheet
Preparing for an emergency with medical needs
Having a plan in place can assist you greatly in the event of an emergency. The information below is emergency preparedness information tailored to those with special medical needs, but you should always consult with your doctor when developing your plan. The following information is designed to get you thinking about the steps you need to take to prepare for an emergency.
Build a support network
Despite your best planning, you might require help from others. Keep an updated list of family and friends who may be able to assist you if required. Know those in your area who could walk to your home and/or workplace in an emergency.
Include written operating instructions for any medical equipment that you use, such as oxygen and breathing equipment, in your 72-hour kit. Be ready to give quick instructions on how others can help you. Think about what you will need and how you want it done.
Life support and essential medical devices
•Here are some tips to help you start planning for any electricity or battery dependent medical devices you use (such as breathing machines, oxygen, suction, or home dialysis equipment):
•Contact your local electric company about your power needs for life-support devices in advance. They might be able to make your power reconnection a priority. Even so, your power could be out for many days following a disaster. It is essential that you have power backup options for your equipment.
•For medical devices requiring power, talk to your medical supply company about back-up power sources, such as batteries or a generator.
•If you are using oxygen, do not use gas lights or candles. Instead, opt for battery-powered flashlights or lanterns. You may also want to consider posting “Oxygen in Use” signs to let others know. Read these tips on oxygen safety for more information.
Medication and treatments
•If you are dependent on medication or medical treatments, have a plan to lessen the impact of a disruption:
•Have at least a 3-day supply of medication and medical supplies readily available.
•Make a list of your medications (name, dose, frequency, and the name of the prescribing doctor) and store it in your 72-hour kit.
•Rotate medications in your 72-hour kit. Take older ones out of your kit and use them before the expiration date. Replenish your kit with a fresh supply of medication. Be sure to ask your pharmacist how best to store your medications.
•If you receive medical treatments from a clinic or a hospital, ask your health care provider what you should do in the event of an emergency.
Build an emergency kit
•In addition to storing food, water, a First Aid kit, important documents and other basic items, you should start thinking about any additions items you might need in your kit.
•A list of your medications (name, dose, frequency, and the name of the prescribing doctor).
•Include written information about how to administer your medications, what equipment you use, any allergies you have, and your emergency medical contacts.
•If applicable, include food and water for your service animal. You may want to consider including pad protectors to protect your service animal against broken glass and other hazards.
When building your kit, think about these questions - What do you use on a daily basis? What would you need if you had to leave your home for a long period of time?
You may want to consider having additional emergency kits, depending on your needs. For example, you could have a small kit with you at all times, stocked with your essential medications, and you could also store one at work.