A major earthquake can damage apartment complexes and mobile home parks, and can injure or kill residents.
The following steps should be taken by owners or managers:
Apartment/Mobile
Home Planning Guide
A major earthquake can damage apartment complexes and mobile home parks, and can injure or kill residents.
The following
steps should be taken by owners or managers:
1. Consult local building codes to ensure that your building meets current seismic safety standards.
2. Develop an emergency plan for your building or mobile home park. This plan should include measures for storing water and food, obtaining first aid training, appointing floor or area leaders, conducting drills, and other such activities.
3. Encourage mobile home residents to better secure their homes by leaving wheels on homes rather than removing them, installing structural support bracing systems and securing the coach's awnings. (A list of state certified bracing systems is available from the State Department of Housing and Community Development.)
4. Provide tenants with information on how to secure furniture and other household items. Also provide them with information on what to do during and after an earthquake.
5. Encourage tenants to develop individual family plans for shutting off damaged utilities, reuniting family members, and evacuation, if necessary.
6. Identify residents with special needs---such as mobility impaired, non-English speaking, elderly, or hearing and sight impaired---and make sure their needs are addressed in your emergency plans.
7. Organize teams that are responsible for first aid, search and rescue, communications, and firefighting. Compile a list of resources and skills available among your tenants.
8. Provide tenants with a white flag or some other distinguishable sign to be posted after an earthquake if no one in the apartment or mobile home has suffered serious injuries.
9. Practice earthquake drills in your complex or park.
10. Find out and inform your tenants where the nearest mass shelter area is located.
11. Organize a meeting at which a local emergency and disaster planner can provide information on earthquake preparedness.
California Earthquake Preparedness Month provides an opportunity for apartment and mobile home park owners and residents to "BEAT THE QUAKE."