In light of  the current and serious “disaster” events – and the subsequent Tsunami Warnings that went into effect for many countries - CA Living’s “Be Prepared” TV campaign currently on the air in Marin County is  now  available On-demand:

California Living show host Aprilanne Hurley spotlights Angel Island Tiburon Ferry Captain Maggie’s “On Board for Safety” program on-air and ondemand to encourage disaster preparedness NOW!  Our goal in producing and launching this “Be Prepared” Public Service Campaign was to provide valuable, lifesaving information in the 30 second spot itself – so that if a viewer did not go to a website for more info. they would still receive specifics on what they need to do for themselves and their families to “Be Prepared Today!”  Please visit our “Be Prepared Toolkit” on this site and checkout our “quick view” preparedness tips below:

The Preparedness message is universal:

1.    Prepared a Survival Kit – our recommendation in this spot is to keep and emergency kit in your car with essentials (in addition to having one in your home and office).  This way you will have emergency food, water, and supplies where ever you are when on the road.  Pack an extra cell phone charger and battery, crank and/or solar powered radio, blankets, road flares, and warm clothes in addition to a first aid kit.

2.  Create an Emergency Family Plan – identify a responsible person out of state whom you can communicate with in the event phone lines in your area are tied up or down.  Discuss two meeting places – one near your home and one away from you home in the event a disaster strikes and going home is not an option.  Plan emergency exit routes, options, and protocols with each family member so they know exactly what to do in any type of emergency. 

3.  Stay “in the know” on what’s happening in your community, especially as it relates to weather conditions and pending threats of natural disaster.  Depending on where you live – there are natural disaster threats specific to your area and you need to be prepared for anything!  The recent Tsunami Warnings that went into effect for many countries hit home for California’s Coast and residents as well.  “Staying Informed” is a critical component in your ongoing efforts to “Be Prepared” as there  may not be very time  to give notice to evacuate depending on the threat or disaster.

 “Being Prepared for anything” will really give you and your loved ones peace of mind” Hurley notes, “While we naturally can’t control when or where a natural disaster will hit – by having what we need in place to operate at our peak performance in a disaster environment – we will be beeter able to help others in need, and can at least be assured we are doing all we can to increase our chances of survival.”

Please check out Captain Maggie’s Survival Guide @  CaptainMaggie.com

To find out more about what the Marin County Office of Emergency Services is doing to keep Marin residents safe including details on the Tsunami Warning protocols in place to alert coastal residents visit: HeroesHappen.com and click on category for Volunteer “Search & Rescue.”

Marin County Office of Emergency Services

InsisderTrusted Resources & Links to help you "Be Prepared!"

CA Insider in partnership with California Living with Aprilanne encourage everyone to take the steps needed TODAY to “Be Prepared” for disaster. 

Every small step you make today towards preparedness will go a long way in helping you and your family survive in the event a disaster strikes – and there is no time like the present to “Be Prepared!”

Below are a few resources and links we recognize as supplying reliable and trusted information regarding disaster Preparedness:

www.Ready.gov

www.FEMA.gov

www.RedCross.org

The Earthquake Supply Center in San Rafael offers the "Grab 'N' Go" Kits so you can "Be Prepared" TODAY!

The “Grab ‘N’ Go” Emergency Kits featured on our site have been graciously provided by the Earthquake Supply Center in San Rafael, CA.  For emergency supplies and consulting please visit their website below or call them @

415.459.5500
1.800.728.8531

www.earthquakesupplycenter.com

3095 Kerner Blvd., Unit i
San Rafael, CA 94901

We will be adding to this page periodically and please feel free to suggest resources you have had positive experiences with – thanks!  Aprilanne

Be Ready for Anything - have a Family Emergency Plan in place for the ultimate "peace of mind!"

A natural disaster can hit anytime – in the middle of the night while you are sleeping,   while you are at work and the kids are at school, or even while you are out of town on vacation…”Be Prepared” for any type of emergency or disaster by creating a Family Emergency Plan to cover the following areas of home and family safety:

• Escape Routes – put an escape route plan in place and do practice drills on a monthly basis.  Have a few scenarios to choose from depending on the type of emergency, earthquake, fire, etc. which may change the available escape routes accordingly.  Draw a map on paper to hang on each family member’s bedroom door.
• Identify 2 meeting locations 1 near your home – for instance “at your neighbor’s house or on the corner of your street” – and a second location if going home is not an option – for example:  At the fire station, or grocery store you are all familiar with.”  Document these locations on your Family Plan materials and quiz or review children periodically to be sure they remember the plan!
• Family communications:  Identify an out-of area contact person and provide the number to all family members to call in the event you cannot communicate in state.  Keep the message brief to keep lines open.  Communicate your whereabouts and safety status and wait for further communications and/or instructions on how to proceed.  Every person should carry an identification card with emergency contacts and numbers to call in the event of an emergency.
• Utility shut-off and safety: For your safety – please review the guidelines on this topic provided by FEMA at Ready.gov – and remember if you shut off your gas main a qualified professional must turn it back on – never attempt to turn it back on yourself!
• Insurance and vital records: Protect yourself, your family, and your belongings with the proper insurances. Keep copies of all important documents in a water-proof, fire-proof portable box/container with your emergency kit.  Keep all originals in a safety deposit box or other safe – of-site local.  Make a record with video or images of your personal property and keep a back up copy off location.
• Special needs – there are many special needs cases – you know best how to manage your particular situation to be prepared for anything.  think of all the supplies such as batteries, oxygen, catheters, medications, etc., that you require to exist everyday and have a three day supply on hand in a carryall to take with you if you need to evacuate.  Create a buddy system in your neighborhood and identify who will take care of who when it comes to neighbors whom are immobile, aged, or without transportation.
• Have wheelchairs accessible with pre-planned escape routes, extra hearing aid supplies, on hand, etc. depending on your needs.
• Pets: Identify pet shelter options ahead of time; have vaccinations up to date, and pack a supply kit for your furry loved ones as well!
• Safety Skills - Learn “how to save a life” by taking a CPR and First Aid Class. Check with your local American Red Cross or municipality for classes and rates.

Keep all your emergency supplies in one place so you can "grab n' go" if you need to!

To “Be Ready for Anything ” keep a Emergency Supply Kit ready to go in the following locations:

At home: Follow the supply checklist  guidelines on this site and keep this kit in an easily accessible area in your home like the garage or back entryway in your home.  Be sure all family members know where it is kept and REMEMBER to have a supply kit and transportation carriers ready to go for your pets as well!

At Work: Keep a basic kit with food & water, first aid kits, and emergency essentials in a container you can grab n’ go with in a hurry like a backpack.  Have a pair of tennis shoes (comfortable walking shoes) stashed at work and in your car as well in case you have to walk long distances.

In your Car: Keep the basics such as food & water, first aid supplies, and add flares, jumper cables, cell phone charger, area maps, and consider a “multi-tasker tool” such as one that is a flashlight and radio combo that runs on solar, battery and crank operation for extended use.  You can also  provide a small fanny pack or “grab n go”  kit to your children to keep in their school lockers for extra peace of mind.

More on my favorite “multi-taskers” coming soon!

CA Insider’s Guide to the “Basic” Disaster Supply Kit for your car, home, and office

There is a certain “peace of mind” that comes with ‘being prepared” for disasters – and there is something very gratifying in knowing that you have done all you can to protect yourself family against the threat of disasters.  Trust me, it really does feel good to know you will have what you need to survive for at least 3 days on your own if you had to – so TRY IT and see for yourself!

The next time you go to the grocery store, home improvement store, warehouse bargain store etc.,  bring along the checklist below of emergency supplies recommended by FEMA to have on hand to “Be Prepared:”

• Three-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Three-day supply of water – one gallon of water per person, per day.
• Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First aid kit and manual.
• Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper).
• Matches and waterproof container.
• Whistle.
• Extra clothing.
• Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener.
• Photocopies of credit and identification cards.
• Cash and coins.
• Special needs items, such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries.
• Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers.
• Other items to meet your unique family needs.

Chances are, if you have to evacuate immediate – there will be little time to gather additional items outside of your pre-packed emergency kit so set aside some warm clothing for each family member and bedding such as a sleeping bag for each that you can grab and go with if sheltering in place is not an option:

• Jacket or coat.
• Long pants.  (thermals, long underwear).
• Long sleeve shirt. (think layers).
• Sturdy shoes. (waterproof options plus extra socks)
• Hat, mittens, and scarf.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket (per person).

For a list of additional items recommended by FEMA visit Ready.gov

Other considerations are to have on hand are a week’s worth of prescription medications on hand, extra cash, gas in your car, and cell phone charger.

Customize the above list and suggestions to suit your family’s specific needs to have what each family member needs to exist without aid for at least 3 days, diapers, formula, etc., for babies; and having board games and toys in your kit for your children will “keep the peace” and the sanity if you find yourself in a shelter.