Campo Fire & Rescue - Station #46
437 Jeb Stuart Road Campo, CA 91906
Station Phone: 619-478-5310 - Station FAX: 619-478-5836
Mailing Address: PO Box 55 Campo, California 91906
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
EVERY MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS IN CASE OF A DISASTER AND HOW THE INCIDENT WILL BE MANAGED. BELOW IS A WORD DOCUMENT OF THE CAMPO, LAKE MORENA COMMUNITY DISASTER PLAN. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO DOWNLOAD THIS TO YOUR COMPUTER AND READ IT, KNOW IT AND INFORM YOUR FRIENDS.
REMEMBER THE "5 P RULE" : Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance
The Campo / Lake Morena Disaster Preparedness Committee
Meets quarterly on the second Thursday of August, November, February , and May.
Meeting location and time. 7:00 PM,
Campo Fire Station. 437 Jeb Stuart Road Campo, CA 91906
( Across from the Post Office)
The public is welcomed and urged to attend.
The San Diego County Mountain Empire Disaster Preparedness Council
Meets quarterly, January, April, July and October, on the second Tuesday 9 AM, at the Mountain Empire Community Center, 976 Sheridan Road Campo, CA 91906.
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Turning off Utilities
When disaster strikes it often affects one or more of the utility systems in our homes. It is important to know where the main controls are located and to know when and how to turn them off. It is best to learn these things before disaster strikes. Here are a few helpful pointers:
Natural Gas or LPG:
Locate your main gas shutoff valve and learn how to turn off the gas. The gas meter is usually found outside your residence where most of the utilities are connected. The shut off valve is usually found just beneath the gas meter on the plumbing coming up from the ground into the meter. If you suspect the shutoff valve is not working properly, call the gas supplier for an operational check. In The San Diego County rural areas most of us use LPG from a tank by the house. Ask your LPG supplier to show you how to turn your gas off at the tank.
Keep a wrench available for turning the meter or main gas valve off in an emergency.
If after an earthquake, or any other emergency or gas system failure, where you smell gas, evacuate immediately. Do not use candles, matches, lighter, open flame appliances or operate electrical switches. Sparks could ignite gas causing an explosion. Shut off the gas ONLY if you smell gas or hear a hissing noise.
Let the Gas Company or your LPG supplier turn the gas back on.
Seek the assistance of a plumber to repair any gas pipe damage.
Sewer and Septic:
Your sewer system could be damaged in a disaster such as an earthquake, landslide, or flood.
Make sure the system is functioning as designed before using it. This will prevent the contamination of your home and possibly the drinking water supply. If you have a septic system that uses an electrical pump to force gray-water into the drain field, you may encounter septic system problems during a power outage. If the electrical power is off for an extended time, and you continue to use water as you normally would, the septic tank will quickly fill up and sewage may back-up into your home. To maintain the integrity of your septic system during a power outage, restrict the amount of water you put down the drain. A passive, gravity system will work normally if it has not been damaged by earth movement.
Have a bucket or portable toilet available for disposing of human waste. Plastic bags placed in the toiled bowl will also work.
Electricity:
Locate your main electrical breaker or fuse panel and learn how to turn the electrical system power off.
Become familiar with which rooms or major appliances are fed by which breakers or fuses and label each at the panel. If you turnoff all breakers or unscrew all fuses except one connected to area lights in your living room or kitchen and leave a few lights turned you will have an indication of when power is restored. After you are sure the power is going to stay on ( wait about 15 minutes ) turn on the rest of your breakers or screw in the remaining fuses to restore all your circuits.
If you use a generator for backup power be sure to follow the manufacturer's safety instructions. Connect lights and appliances directly to the generator and not the homes electrical system. If you are in an area where you need to use generator power often here are fail safe, approved switch systems that allow you to connect your generator directly to the home electrical panel. It is very important for your safety and the safety of the local utility company workers, to have these systems designed and installed by a licensed electrician or electrical contractor.
Water:
Clearly label the water shut off valve and learn how to turn off the water supply. Shut off valves may be found immediately adjacent to your home, near the hot water heater or at the main water meter, usually near the street. Check to see your valve can be fully turned off. If a special tool is needed, make sure one is readily available. Shut off the main valve to prevent contamination of the water supply in your water heater and plumbing. Do not turn the system back on until you have been assured the main supply is safe. Local TV or radio stations will usually let you know when the emergency is passed and any special precautions you may need to take.
In rural San Diego most of us get our water from a well so when the electricity fails so does the water. Follow the instructions above for turning off your breaker or fuse panel to prevent damage to your well pump from power surges generated when power is restored. Many rural systems feed the house from a large storage tank with an additional electrical booster pump. Make sure the circuit for this pump is also turned off.
EARTH QUAKES
Before:
Get together with the members of your household and put together a disaster plan.
Assemble disaster supplies and store them in an easy-to-get-at location.
Identify safe spots and danger zones in each room.
Consider buying earthquake insurance.
Know how to shut off all utilities.
Ensure your house is firmly anchored to its foundation.
Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.
Store breakable items on low shelves or in cabinets that can fasten shut.
Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
Fasten shelves to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects.
Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas and inflexible utility connections.
Securely fasten water heaters and gas appliances.
Anchor wood burning stoves to the floor.
During:
If indoors -- take cover under sturdy furniture or against an inside wall, and hold on, "Drop, Cover and Hold." Stay away from the kitchen!
If outdoors -- stay there. Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
If outdoors near tall buildings -- step inside a doorway, drop down, and cover your head and shoulders to protect yourself from falling glass and other debris.
In a high-rise building -- take cover under sturdy furniture away from windows and outside walls. Stay in the building on the same floor. An evacuation may not be necessary. Wait for instructions from safety personnel. Do not use the elevators.
In a vehicle -- stop as quickly as safety permits, and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, or utility wires.
After:
Check yourself and other for injuries.
Prepare for after shocks.
Wear study shoes to prevent injury.
Use flashlights or battery powered lanterns if the power is out.
If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound - open a window, leave the building, and shut off the main gas valve outside.
If water pipes are damaged -- shut off the water supply at the main valve.
Check your home for structural damage, include the chimney.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, and flammable liquids.
Visually inspect utility lines and appliances for damage.
Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines or septic systems are intact.
Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
Use the phone only to report a life-threatening emergency.
Listen to the radio for the latest emergency information.
Stay off the streets and avoid damaged areas, unless you have been asked to help by the proper authority.
For information on the neighbor to neighbor program or R.A.C.E.S
