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Few are prepared for serious earthquakes
By JON HOORNSTRA
The next major earthquake will reorganize Cupertino into two groups of people: those who prepared and those who did not.
My guess is you would rather be in the prepared group. So, bucking conventional wisdom, I'm going to first tell you where to find the solution to the problems presented by disasters, as well as identify some basic steps to take right away. Then I'll trust you to read further and enjoy a tale of fear and mal-preparation.
Expert help is available from the city's Emergency Preparedness Office, run by Marsha Garcia. She came to Cupertino two years ago with 22 years of experience as a 911 dispatcher, experience that includes duty when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck the Bay Area in 1989.
You can tap into the wealth of information Garcia's office maintains in one of two ways. You can call her at 408.777.3335, leave your name, mailing address, telephone number and a brief explanation of what you would like. Or, you can go to the city's website, www.cupertino.org, click on the "Emergency Preparedness" link on the left side of the home page, and print out the information directly.
More than 12 years have passed since the 1989 earthquake. Census data suggests that at least 10,000 people have moved into Cupertino since then, many of whom having little or no experience with natural disasters. So here are a few points everyone needs to understand in order to be prepared.
First, whatever food, water and other supplies you have at home, your office or in your car when an earthquake strikes may be the only provisions you will have for one or more days. A major quake means an immediate loss of electrical power over a broad area. Grocery stores will close because computers cannot process financial transactions. Gasoline stations will not be able to pump fuel, because the pumps need electricity. Other important supply sources, such as pharmacies and hardware stores, will also close. Businesses that remain open will run out of stock within hours. People will panic and stockpile everything imaginable.
Second, never let the fuel supply in your car get much below a half-tank. In cold weather, the car may be your only source of heat until electricity is restored to run home furnaces. Yet, travel may be impossible or extremely hazardous due to fallen trees, downed power lines or buckling of the roads themselves.
Third, knowledge of basic first aid is vital. Garcia recalls numerous calls to the 911 dispatch centers following the 1989 quake from people who expected an ambulance for cuts, bruises and sprained ankles. Such calls were truly abusive of the 911 system, which was overwhelmed by far more serious medical needs. You can afford four hours to learn basic first aid. The next class in Cupertino will be on May 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can register online or by calling Garcia's office.
Fourth, if you have children in school you need to have a serious family discussion about what the kids can expect, including a discussion of possible alternate meeting places should damage to roads or homes prevent going home. Children need to know that parents may be delayed following an earthquake; that it won't be a usual schedule. Young children especially need reassurance that they will be safe at school and, as parents know, each elementary student maintains an "earthquake kit" in the classroom.
Garcia holds monthly meetings with school, police and other agencies to prepare for disasters, though only about a third of the schools participate,on a regular basis, she said. She plans to speak to the CUSD board of trustees this month to encourage more participation. Nevertheless, Garcia says, Regnart and Stevens Creek elementary schools have model programs, which she attributes to strong support from the principals and parents.
"The schools will be in desperate need of trained volunteer parents to help in a disaster after an earthquake," Garcia said. Noting that schools will not release a child to anyone not on an authorized list, she suggests that parents may want to add names to the list. "The usual one or two may not be able to get there after an earthquake."
When the Loma Prieta earthquake struck in October 1989, it was a little after 5 p.m. and I was at home with my 8-year-old son. The first jolt threw us to the floor. We crawled behind a heavy sofa and huddled there for protection from flying glass and other debris. When it stopped, there was eerie symbolism when I saw that our floor-model globe had tipped over and cracked wide open.
We were lucky. There was little other damage and that's when we decided to join the prepared group. You, too, can join.
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
