Despite the Bay Area’s history of earthquakes, wildfires, and heatwaves, not every local business or resident is prepared for future disasters. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources that make it easy to plan for emergencies, whether your goal is business continuity or simply safety for employees or loved ones. The federal, state, county, and local governments have plenty of information to share, as does  the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department and Hacienda Owners Association.

Preparation Saves Lives

“I want to emphasize the importance of preparing for a disaster,” Tracy Hein, former Disaster Preparedness Manager for the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department, told Hacienda Pulse before her retirement. “This includes making disaster preparedness kits, putting together a plan, getting informed, and getting involved.”

Making a kit simply means gathering supplies and keeping them on hand. That way, no matter where you are when a disaster strikes, you will be prepared. Ideally, you will have a three-day preparedness kit in your vehicle and supplies at home and at work to cover your needs over five to seven days. Kits should be customized for you and your family. That may mean including medications, extra glasses, food and diapers for a baby, or pet food, for example.

“Take a look around your house,” Hein said. “You likely already have many of the things you need. It is a matter of putting them together so they are easily accessible following a disaster.”

The next step is making a plan. How are you going to communicate with your family if you cannot physically get home? How and where will you reunite with family members if you or they cannot get home? Plan these things out, write them down, and make sure family members know the plan in advance. At the workplace, a communications plan should include setting up a structure so that people know who to contact to either report or receive information.

“For example, a point person from each business could be designated to communicate with the first responders, giving specific details of what the emergency is,” Hein noted. “That way, before a first responder goes in, they’re aware of what the situation is, whether any casualties are involved, and what kinds of hazards might be present as a result of the disaster.”

Getting informed, as Hein recommends, can mean several things. One way to stay up to date on potential emergencies is by signing up for AC Alert, Alameda County's Mass Notification System. If county officials issue a notification about a potential safety hazard or concern, those registered will receive a message via the voicemail, text, and/or e-mail communication methods that they provided at registration. In most cases, users can confirm that they have received the message, and the system will cease attempts to contact them, officials say. Go to www.member.everbridge.net/453003085612570/new to sign up for the service, which can be canceled at any time.

Another way to get informed is by learning knowledge especially helpful in case of emergencies, such as how to turn off the electricity, gas, or water when necessary. If gas lines in a house rupture because of an earthquake, it is important to shut off the supply line to help prevent fires. At businesses, of course, the property management company oversees those elements, so those actions are already covered by their personnel.

For companies, getting involved also refers to giving and receiving additional training on what actions to take before, during, and after a disaster. “Every company should determine how employees will prepare and respond as a team,” Hein said. This might mean deciding, in advance, who will focus on business continuity and who will take care of making sure that staff and visitors to a business are safe. By establishing an evacuation team, a building coordinator, and floor wardens, for example, companies can make sure that during an emergency, everyone gets out safely. That is why training before a disaster is key.

While employee safety is the most important goal of any company’s disaster preparedness strategy, the ability of the business itself to survive can be enhanced significantly with proper planning as well. Businesses should be proactive, so that they can get up and running as quickly as possible after a disaster. Following the 1994 Northridge earthquake, a number of small businesses closed down permanently. Having continuity plans in place can make it possible for a business to eventually reopen despite being affected by an emergency.

Disaster Resources

An excellent resource for businesses is the Disaster Recovery Journal, available at www.drj.com. It provides key information for companies seeking to set up their own business continuity strategies. The quarterly publication, which is available at no charge, was founded in 1987 and provides readers with reliable information on potential dangers, services, industry trends, products, and more. The Resources section of the magazine’s website offers good practices related to business continuity, free white papers on a variety of relevant subjects, sample disaster recovery and business continuity plans currently used by a variety of institutions, a vendor directory, and even a glossary of terms used by specialists in the field.

Several other websites also provide useful information for disaster preparedness and recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.ready.gov provides Family Emergency Plans, Emergency Supply Lists, and specialized brochures for pet owners, seniors, and people with disabilities. This information is also available in multiple languages. There are also business-oriented materials such as Continuity Resource worksheets, Emergency Response Plans, a Business Impact Analysis worksheet, Risk Assessment Tables, and an Insurance Review worksheet.

At www.redcross.org, the American Red Cross solicits funds and blood donations for disasters that may have already happened. Helpfully, the organization also offers tips on coping with disasters at home, school, and the workplace in its Get Help section. Another good source of information is the Listos California website at www.listoscalifornia.org. This official State of California resource offers an Emergency Alerts sign-up page to connect Californians to local alert systems based on zip code or location. It includes advice on how to prepare for wildfires, heat emergencies, and more.

Disaster preparedness and response coordination is also an important focus for Hacienda. Disaster response coordination in the park is aided by Hacienda Security, which patrols the park 24/7, every day of the year. In the event of a major earthquake, for example, Hacienda tenants and owners will be able to receive updated information through the park's security network. Those same users will  also be able to post inquiries or provide important information via the park’s Security Hotline at (925) 734-6520 or by emailing security@hacienda.org.

Hacienda's security network, which is used to help coordinate a response in the event of an emergency situation, consists of 24-hour contacts for all tenants and properties. Tenants and facility representatives who want to be a part of this network can contact the Hacienda Owners Association office for details at (925) 734-6500 or by emailing info@hacienda.org.

As a part of the communities' disaster response plan, the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department has an active Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. The CERT program trains and supports members of the community to be effective emergency response volunteers in the event of a disaster, according to officials. Volunteers learn skills including “disaster medical care, light search and rescue, team organization,” and coordination with the Fire Department, they say. The Fire Department hosts CERT classes several times per year. The next training begins Tuesday, October 1, and spaces are limited. To register, call the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department at (925) 454-2361.

The Great California Shakeout, the annual statewide earthquake drill held in October, is a perfect opportunity to test your disaster preparations. The 2024 International ShakeOut Day is October 17. Millions of people worldwide will participate in earthquake drills at work, school, and home. To sign up, visit  www.shakeout.org/california. The website offers a number of items to help companies participate, including fliers in a number of languages, instructions on setting up an earthquake drill, and recordings that can be played over a building’s intercom system as part of a drill.

While it is impossible to know when a disaster will occur, history shows that disasters can strike at any moment. Making disaster preparedness kits, putting together a plan, getting informed, and getting involved can help you, your family, and your company manage with a minimum of disruption when these situations arise.

For information about preparing for emergencies in the City of Pleasanton, please visit www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/emergency-preparedness.

The City of Livermore has published a guide to emergencies in English and Spanish at www.livermoreca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11707/63857336752880000.

For more information about the Livermore-Pleasanton Community Emergency Response Team, please visit www.lpfire.org/about-us/disaster-preparedness/cert.

For information on creating an emergency kit, please visit www.ready.gov/kit.