If an earthquake, fire or other catastrophe strikes, Malibu residents should be prepared with a personal plan of what to do for themselves and their families, stressed local officials last Wednesday at an emergency preparedness seminar hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at the Malibu Performing Arts Center.
“Find out where your escape routes are,” said Brad Davis, the city’s emergency preparedness coordinator. “Designate a location near [your home] and one outside the city for your family to meet… Plan for what to do when there are no cell phones, road damage and all kinds of medical injuries.”
Also speaking at the forum were Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Capt. Tom Martin and Chief Reggie Lee, who heads the Los Angeles County Fire Department region that includes Malibu. Both officials said people should know what they are going to take with them prior to an emergency evacuation situation.
“When we’re talking about evacuation, that is not the time to be making those decisions,” Lee said. “Those are the things you need to know about.”
Emergency situations are not foreign to Malibu, with a recent example being the January fire, which burned approximately 20 acres of land near Bluffs Park and destroyed five homes on Malibu Road. The city is also at risk for landslides, earthquakes, flooding and other natural disasters. And in the post 9/11 world, every city must be aware of terrorist threats.
In some disaster situations, Malibu roads, including Pacific Coast Highway, are closed, and there is the potential that the residents would need to be evacuated. Martin said there are five evacuation levels. At Level 5, the city is closed to everybody, including Sheriff’s deputies. He said a Level 5 situation would probably involve hazardous chemicals. Level 4 means only emergency personnel are allowed in the city. At Level 3, people who are critical to the city can enter, such as utility company personnel, Red Cross workers and volunteers for the Malibu Medical Emergency Team. In a Level 2 situation, residents and business owners are allowed access. Level 1 means the city is open.
In a Level 2 situation, residents can prove to authorities manning the streets that they are allowed into the city by displaying on their windshield the Dolphin decal provided by the city. However, the panelists said there could be Los Angeles Police Department and other non-Malibu officials directing traffic, who might not be familiar with the Dolphin decal. In that case, people should be prepared to show identification, including business cards that are supplied by the Chamber of Commerce.
Martin said there are two types of evacuation situations, voluntary and mandatory. Voluntary evacuations are recommended for homes containing pets and the elderly, and when there are other situations where residents might be slow to evacuate. This prevents hold-ups if a mandatory evacuation, which involves everybody, comes later.
“More than likely, we’re not going to force you out,” said Martin, who pointed out that it is a misdemeanor offense not to leave when asked or to interfere with the evacuation process. “It’s not that we don’t have the authority, we don’t have the time. We have a ton of people we’re going to get out. Not only do we have to get all the people out, but the deputies have to get out too. We’re not going down with the ship.”
To get information like evacuation notices in an emergency situations, residents have a variety of media choices. This is important because some systems could be down. The city Web site has updates at www.ci.malibu.ca.us. This information can also be found at The Malibu Times’ Web site, www.malibutimes.com. Residents can receive free e-mail updates from The Malibu Times by sending an e-mail to jf@malibutimes.com and subscribing to the Malibu News Flash service. Additionally, Charter Cable Channel 3 provides emergency information, as does the city’s radio station, AM 1620.
Emergency supply containers were recently placed in the city at local schools and near Trancas Market. They include water, food, blankets and basic first-aid kits that could help 200 people for the first three days after an emergency. Davis stressed that these items are in place for a situation when people’s personal emergency items have run out.
“Don’t come to me and ask for the key because you need some water,” Davis said. “You guys need to have your supplies figured out, and when they run out, or your house falls down, then maybe you’ll be in the situation where you need somebody.”
Lee recommended people keep at least a 10-day supply of water in their homes. He said other important items included batteries, blankets, cash and extra medications. Lee also spoke about how in emergency situations, making phone calls could be possible, while receiving them might not be. Because of this, he said people should designate a family member living outside of California who will receive phone calls, and can notify other family members throughout the country about the Malibu resident’s status.
The panelists also urged the business leaders in attendance to form an emergency plan for their businesses.
“Once you develop your plan, you have to practice it,” Martin said. “You have to know what you’re going to do, what you’re going to take and how you’re going to get back into business.”
Davis encouraged people to take the city’s free Community Emergency Response Team, or C.E.R.T., training classes. A four-session class begins on June 2, and teaches residents basic disaster preparedness and first-aid. Davis said there are approximately 50 Malibu residents who have taken the course, and they will be able to help their families and other Malibu residents in an emergency situation. More information on that program can be obtained by contacting Davis at 310.456.2489 ext. 260 or by e-mail at bdavis@ci.malbu.ca.us