EARTHQUAKE
PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST FOR NEIGHBORHOODS
PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION:
1. Have you appointed a Neighborhood Leader or Block Coordinator who will keep a record of neighborhood residents, skills and equipment?
2. Have you identified those persons in your neighborhood who may require special assistance in an emergency?
3. Have you developed a listing of tools, equipment and materials available in the neighborhood, including private sector resources?
4. Are you promoting public education about earthquake preparedness through local neighborhood papers and service clubs?
5. Have you organized first aid, search and rescue, communications, firefighting and damage assessment teams? Have these teams received adequate training?
6. Have you developed self-help networks between neighborhoods through a skills bank?
7. Do you have a pre-established location where the injured can be treated, and volunteers and emergency care resources can be collected and distributed?
8. Do you know your neighborhood's ham radio and CB radio operators?
9. Have you established procedures for communicating with police, sheriff, fire and emergency services?
10. Have you inventoried the number and types of mobile (RV) equipment?
11. Have you familiarized local emergency services offices and volunteer organizations with your neighborhood plan?
12. Have you informed everyone which radio station to listen to and where emergency equipment and supplies are kept?
EMERGENCY RESPONSE:
1. Do neighbors know to check in on immediate neighbors?
2. Do neighbors know to check in with the Neighborhood Leader or Block Coordinator?
3. Has everyone agreed to hang a white "flag" out after the earthquake to signal that
4. everyone and everything is all right?
5. Will neighbors automatically begin search and rescue, checking first on homes where no flags are displayed?
6. Are volunteers available to
6.1. administer first aid to the seriously injured?
6.2. conduct initial damage assessments?
6.3. make a list of missing persons?
6.4. make a list of injured persons and identify medical needs?
(Note: if they require hospitalization, tag them in some way before transporting in case they become unconscious. and keep track of where the injured are sent)
6.5. begin removal of rubble and other material which may block emergency response functions?
6.6. contain any wandering pets in a confined area?
6.7. identify those structures that pose potential hazards and post warning signs or cordon off?
7. Is there a plan to set up a mobile/central communications center?
8. Is there a plan to contact outside support services, report damages, request needed supplies, and offer skills and resources that are available?
9. Do neighbors know to keep radio channels open and stand by for emergencyinformation and instructions?
10. Is there a plan to set up assistance centers for incoming evacuees?
11. Are there procedures for water purification and alternative waste disposal systems?
RECOVERY:
1. Is there a plan to work in cooperation with support organizations (public and private) during the recovery phase?
2. Is there a plan to determine water needs for the neighborhood and identify nearby water resources?
3. Are there procedures for referring residents to the local Disaster Assistance Center for help in rebuilding, relocating, and finding family members and friends?
4. Will you provide updated status reports on damage to neighborhood residents?
5. Are there plans to promote earthquake preparedness in the recovery and rebuilding phase?