Costa Concordia- The Big Picture and Preparedness

Guest Post,



Friends,This is a striking picture, the cruise ship on it's side. How was that even possible? Isn't it too big? Obviously, this can happen, but I didn't think I t it was very likely before now. And how can 15 people die within sight of shore? Aren't there enough safety systems? Enough crew trained to guide you out? Safety lighting systems and arrows showing the exits? Enough lifeboats to get every person off safely?

Costa Concordia vs Lighthouse

But I am also struck by the irony of the photo. A lighthouse warning the ship that land was near. How did the ship run aground with the clear warning?


We have been warning people about preparing for disasters for more than 20 years. We have taught hundreds of thousands, and helped many gather the supplies needed to be able to survive a disaster, personal or otherwise. And yet, because the disasters are few and far between, 37 million people in California and more than 300 million people in America haven't really much of a disaster plan. Other than, wait in line at the 7-11 for gas and Twinkies if they have to evacuate. (Every wildfire, this is the first thing they do before leaving.)

The light house warns every ship, every day, and because few crash, we get comfortable with it being there, and even forget about it. We get comfortable with the signal, and forget the seriousness of the message. If we fail to heed the warning, there remain serious consequences. And while I can't predict the next wildfire, earthquake, flood, tornado or other disaster as to the hour or day, I know that for thousands each year, it happens. And their experience is more stressful and harder than it has to be, because the warning of supplies and training go unheeded, like the lighthouse.



The lighthouse only works, if you change your course because of the warning, and the Costa Concordia is a reminder for us, to react to the warning. Get Prepared.

I wish you well.

One and Done,

Darrel Crane, Captain

Disaster Survival Skills

"Real World Solutions"



Shedding Some Light on Disasters

Guest Post

Sinking thoughts about cruise safety


As our hearts and prayers go out to the Costa Concordia Cruise ship victims, I can't help wondering if just one thing might make a difference the next cruise I take.  What would be the one thing I would change?   I am going to carry a small light.


While I agree, you should have an ongoing awareness of your exit strategies, every time you enter a new place, especially if there are a lot of other people there with you.  You should take notice of the less obvious exits (like at the movie theatre there are almost always ones near the front), and no one is thinking about them in an emergency.


In large structures, there are many systems designed to  be used in times of fires and other disasters,  lighting, communications and trained guides -- to reduce loss of life, and they are well designed.  And yet, in the extreme events, these have often failed to work.  There is no such thing as an "unsinkable ship" or a "perfect plan".  You are going to have to rely on your own assessment of any situation and make personal choices in the interest of those around you and your loved ones.  Don't wait for someone else to tell you, you need to take action.


If the lighting fails, on a big ship, or any other large structure, it will be very dark.  Any exit strategy, and decision to improve your location and survivability will depend on your ability to navigate to safety.  A small light would be priceless in the dark. 


There are many, very small lighting options, and for your home/car disaster preparedness, many hand crank units that never need batteries or charging. LED lights now require small batteries making them very compact and providing decent lighting.  On a big ship like the Costa Concordia, if there is a catastrophic failure, the plan for backup lighting and luminous strips are designed to help you out and lead the way to the lifeboat stations.  But if the lighting fails, or the strips aren't there, it will be very hard to proceed in the dark without light.


So the one thing I'll change for now, is carry to a small light, all the time. 


Emergencies aren't scheduled, but preparedness can be planned.


One and Done
Darrel Crane, Captain
Disaster Survival Skills


"Real World Solutions"

Winter Survival Tips

After being missing for two days, on Jan. 16, 2012 a 66 year old experienced snow shoer was found alive on Mt. Rainier. How did he succeed when so many fail to survive? What are the Disaster Survival Skills for winter survival? Here are some tips to keep you alive.

Always let someone one where you went, and for how long, and your intended your intended route and your expected return. If you think that is silly or overkilll; just check out the movie "127 Hours". I have been involved in many searches, and the best chance of finding you quickly is knowing where you were going when you got lost.

Whether a day hike or an extended trip, pack for the unexpected.  The items you should carry in a day pack can be debated, but the more items you carry, the more prepared you will be for an unexpected circumstance. Remember, the rules of 3. You can only go 3 hours without heat. 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food. So pack accordingly. Warmth -Thermal Blanket, Matches, Water-Water Bottle Filter and Food. These items will improve your chances of survival, and increase your level of comfort. Of course in addition at a minimum, light weight items like a mirror, compass, first aid supplies, important medicine, and backup batteries are always a good idea. Additional items (the list is endless) like clothing, rain gear, flashlight, light stick,water, personal locator device, and a tube tent might also make sense, based on the level of isolation or difficulty of access, if you should become stranded.

If you find yourself sliding down an icy mountain slope, there are things that you can do to reduce your risk of injury, or at least have survivable injuries. You should attempt to get your feet going first. While you may still get injured, at least it won’t be your head. High speed head injuries, with or without a helmet are often fatal. If you carry an ice axe (and you should if slopes are steep and ice is likely), you can then roll onto your stomach and press hard into the snow with the axe into the ice to slow your speed of decent. This will greatly reduce your risk of injury and may provide you a way to go back up if that is your best option.

After the fall, Mr. Yong Chun Kim was able to radio to the group that he had survived the descent and would be hiking around to meet them at the starting area. Communications are very effective in improving your chance of survival and help rescuers locate you. In this day of cell phones, we are almost never out of contact, but remember that cellular service is very unreliable on most mountains, and another type of radio can be very valuable. If you have a radio, you will be able to better advise of your circumstances, condition, and intention. You can advise rescuers what may be needed to help bring you out. After Mr. Kim was unable to rejoin his party, rescuers were able to anticipate his route, to reduce the area that needed to be searched during terrible winter conditions.

Lastly, training on survival in winter conditions is always helpful. Understanding the techniques to create shelter, generate and find water, and help rescuers know your location will also improve your chances of survival. You should have a basic first aid course, and CPR class, and have taken it recently. If your training was long ago, under stress it will be hard to remember the finer points. Confidence comes from knowing what to do, and doing the right thing is always easier if you have been trained.

Can you survive a night on a snowy mountain? Take a minute or two to add a few items to your backpack, and take one afternoon to learn first aid, and you can certainly improve your chances of surviving.

Cruise Ship Sinking- 5 Tips to Survival

The Costa Concordia cruise ship sank off the coast of Italy Jan. 14, 2012 and a lot of folks are trying to learn who is at fault and what the Captain might or should have done. When cruise ships sink, like the Carnival Paradise ship in 2009, I don't wonder what the Captain should have done, because I am not likely to find myself driving a 160-foot (50 meter) luxury cruise liner with 4200 people on board. I am more likely to be one of the 4,200 locked out of the bridge (where the driving happens). So what can I learn, to survive.

There are some concrete things that we can learn to do when the unthinkable happens. Most ships have many safety features regarding exits, life boat routes, and life vest storage (both in your cabin and throughout the ship). Personnel are trained to guide you during an emergency if one is announced; but often times this doesn't happen to avoid general panic, Most of us learned in school not to act until instructed, wait in line and behave, someone will tell you what to do. We have been hearing many interviews on the Costa Concordia tragedy of this vain, "No one told us what to do".


Here are Five Tips that take just a minute:


1. Take the safety drill seriously. When boarding a cruise ship learn the safety options including personally checking your PDF (personal flotation device) and for any children in your cabin. Check for alternate life vest storage when you first come aboard and throughout your visit. These signs are clearly marked, but not always prominent.

2. Check for Safety Equipment. Become familiar with exits and lifeboat signs where you are in the ship. They may not always be in English. This takes just a minute when you enter a new area. Always have an exit strategy.

3. When you sense danger, or something unusual is happening, like the ship stays tilted, take a minute to think and make choices now that will increase your survival. Just the because the person in uniform you talk to says every thing is fine, that doesn't mean that it is. Their job is to avoid panic, and give direction when they have it, if they have it. If something isn't right, you need to immediately create a plan of action to increase your chances of survival.

4. Listen for evacuation signal and intercom system for instructions. Put on your personal flotation device immediately then assist others to the exit and muster station. DO NOT head to the interior of the boat, although others may do so in a panic. Following directions will reduce chaos. But remember crew members may not speak English or be well trained. Again, always be working on your Plan of Action.

5. Stay Calm and don't panic. Sounds easy, but reality is 70-80 % of people suffer from impaired reasoning or becoming irrational. Most of that behavior is because people just don't know what to do. Planning ahead of time can eliminate most of that stress. Staying calm will allow you to stay focused and reduce some anxiety in others. Panic kills. Pushing and shoving on a cruise ship will lead to injuries before ever leaving the ship.

One And Done, the one minute rescuer.

Fire Safety Do's & Dont's for Outdoor Grilling

Grilling Safety Tips You Need To Know: MyFoxLA.com

Summer is a time for family, fun, food and fire.

Yes, fire.

With more than 6,000 fires from grills and BBQ's reported each year you need to be smart about cooking out. Whether you're flipping burgers over charcoal briquettes or you're grilling game over gas -you want to be safe from the start.

Here are some of the tips I shared on KTTV/Fox 11 Good Day LA to help you stay safe:

In the event of a fire cooler heads must prevail. Resist the urge to throw flour on the flames because it will ignite the cloud of dust to grow the fire even larger.

And, although it may be tempting to try to put a cooking fire out with water, don't. The water will spread a typical cooking fire and adding flare-up to the fire could be more dangerous than the fire itself.

The very safest and smartest way to kill a fire is to extinguish it. Every kitchen and bar-b-que area needs a compact fire extinguisher. Each time you prepare for a BBQ be sure to have it handy .

Every 30 minutes someone is burned in the US. If there is a fire that causes you to suffer a burn it's important for you to remain calm while working as quickly as possible to stop the burning and relieve any pain.

Perhaps you grew up seeing someone put unusual things on burns, but I would caution you to avoid applying anything to a burn that could cause re-injury rather than relief.


Burn Care Dont’s:

• Don’t Apply Food (i.e. Mustard, Honey, Mayonnaise) Burns are open wounds.
• Don’t Apply Grease Based Products. (i.e. Butter, Toothpaste, Vaseline) it drives the burn deeper.
• Don’t put ice on a burn because it will cause more damage to the burned tissue.
• Don’t try to peel clothes from the wound because it will pull on the skin and re-injure the wound.
• Don't Pop Blisters because it will work against your bodies attempt to heal itself and may cause infection.

Now that you know what not to do when tending to a burn, follow these 3 C's instead to take care of yourself in the best way possible:

Burn Care Do’s:

1. Cool - Do rinse with water
2. Cover - Do apply Burn Gel and cover with dry Sterile Dressing
3. Continue care - Do See a Health Care Professional

Remember, if you can eat it, don't put it on a burn. A burn is an open wound.


Be prepared. Be smart. Be safe.

Triangle of Life versus Drop, Cover and Hold On

Drop, Cover & Hold On has been a mainstay of California preparedness and response for years. There has been some recent controversy regarding its' effectiveness since folks have received "Triangle of Life" emails from a Doug Copp, a self-proclaimed rescue expert with no formal training in the area of Urban Search and Rescue.

He suggests in California we should no longer duck and cover under furniture, but rather get down next to it. For schools he is suggesting children should lie in the aisles instead of under desks made from solid wood or steel legs with wood tops. He bases this idea on the theory "Triangle of Life" which is based on a void space being created when a building collapses and lands on the furniture. The lean to effect creates voids where people can survive. The theory is accurate. (Photo: school library, Coalinga California)
But, not taking cover leaves one extremely vulnerable and exposed to all the other debris and building pieces that could easily impale a survivor or seriously injure their necks, heads and/or backs. Not to mention the greatest hazard, Glass. Glass imploding into a room can impale itself into drywall. Why would you want to be so exposed. As a professional firefighter I can't tell you how many times my polycarbonate helmet has kept me from being seriously injured. Being under any furniture would be a great source of protection.

The idea that everything will be crushed is not realistic with California construction or the U.S. for that matter. We do not build un-reinforced concrete buildings. We use lightweight construction such as wood. He uses examples of buildings in third world countries. In countries such as Turkey, Pakistan and China they suffer losses of life in the numbers of 5,000 to 30,000 from earthquakes with of magnitudes from 5.3 to a 7.2. In California, our earthquakes of Loma Prieta in Northern California and Northridge in Southern California only caused 63 and 57 deaths. Our building standards speak for themselves.

I have personally been in collapsed structures in California. The furniture has never been crushed. Instead we find a ceiling structure lying on top of all the homes furnishings. Remember the entire load will not rest on one piece of furniture. The load will be shared among many pieces, thus sharing the load throughout the room or building.

Of even greater concern to me is the number of school teachers who may as a result of this erroneous Triangle of Life e-mail, begin to place their (our) children in the aisles of classrooms. To suggest that not having cover in a classroom during an earthquake is an advantage over Drop, Cover & Holding on under furniture is completely irresponsible and dangerous. The greatest risk in a classroom is not the risk of building collapse but rather the heavy light fixtures that have a real probability of coming down and severely injuring them while lying in the aisles. (note the above photo)

Take advantage of any cover you have available, and remember you cannot outrun an earthquake. Drop, Cover & Hold On will save lives.
Check out our "Disaster Response Guide for Schools" or for more information on disaster preparedness and response training for schools visit our website www.disastersurvivalskills.com

Japan Earthquake-5 Tips to Survival

Todays earthquake in Japan is a reminder for us in California and other states at risk for the "Big One", that there are many decisions to made very quickly in the first seconds of any disaster. Here are five that will improve your chances for survival.

1. Don't Run Outside- Every step you take you increases your odds of becoming injured by falling or flying debris. Collapsing buildings debris can fall outward one and one-half times the buildings height. Remember Panic kills.

2. Drop, Cover and Hold-On- Taking cover immediately under sturdy furniture is like putting on a hard hat. Also keeps you low to the ground to avoid flying glass that has imploded into the room. Do not get into doorways. Not only dangerous because of violently swinging doors, but doorways are actually the weakest part of the structure. Doorways are created by removing the intregal part of the walls framing.

3. If You Become Trapped- Don't start yelling. Bad idea. All that yelling will cause you to choke and possibly suffocate on the debris dust, which can be substantial following a collapse. This will also cause you to fatigue quickly at a time when you need to save your strength. Yelling will dehydrate you at a much faster rate from the loss of moisture in your breath. Tapping 3 times periodically will save energy and can be detected by rescuers.

4.Rescue The Injured- Since you can only die from one of three things, you must immediately manage the following 3 conditions. They are; Not Breathing, Severe Bleeding and Shock. If the victim is not breathing, you should perform a Head Tilt, Chin Lift manuever and then place them in the Recovery Position on their left side. Severe Bleeding can be controlled by applying a Pressure Bandage, and to manage Shock, simply raise their legs 6-12 inches.

5. Fires and Gas Leaks- Immediatley extinguish and small fires with an ABC fire extinguisher and check on gas leaks by looking at the dials on your gas meter. Remember, just because you don't smell gas doesn't mean you don't have a gas leak in the walls or attic.

For more tips on Earthquake Preparedness and Response check out our other posts.

For Emergency Kits and Disaster Preparedness supplies visit our website www.disastersurvivalskills.com

Emergency Hammer-Life Saving Tool

As a professional firefighter for the last 26 years I have responded to my fair share of auto accidents. Over those years I have seen the quality of safety in cars change. People are walking away from car accidents today that would have been fatal years ago. The reason is two-fold, car design and driver safety. Most drivers today wear seat belts and enjoy the safety benefit of airbags. Cars today are built with crumple zones which cause the car to collapse in sections to absorb the energy before it is transferred into the passenger cabin. Because of this, almost all frontal impacts lead to the vehicles doors becoming jammed.

This is where an Emergency Life Hammer comes in. With doors jammed and/or possibly locked because the battery in the vehicle has been damaged, leaving you with no power to open the electric door locks and windows. You are stuck. Now add in the fact the airbags have deployed and left you choking on smoke and dust, with no relief in sight. Not to mention the risk of fire. You are now a true victim of your circumstances. This simple tool can overcome all those problems by getting you out quickly.

When shopping for a emergency hammer make sure it comes with a built-in seat belt cutter. Why would you need a seat belt cutter? In case you have rolled the vehicle during the accident and the belts become loaded with the victims weight, making it very difficult to release. This would certainly be a risk with a child's car seat. No struggle here though, just slice the belt and everyone is free.

So now that we are free from the seat belts we still have to get by the rolled up windows, damaged battery and door locks to truly be free. That's where the tempered steel points on the Emergency Life Hammer comes in. You see, you just can't kick or punch through tempered glass. It is designed not to shatter and break. But, tempered glass is no match for tempered steel. You do not need great strength or any skill. Just strike the glass and you are free.

Now would this tool save lives in other situations? Absolutely. Another example would be if the vehicle went underwater. Remember in this situation make sure you are free in the cab and ready to swim to the surface before you break the glass with your Emergency Window Hammer. Once you strike the glass the water will rush in and fill the cab. Now as hard as it may be to wait, wait you must until the water equalizes in the cab so you can easily swim out.

Remember to store your Emergency Life Hammer in the front seat near the driver so you have easy and immediate access to this lifesaving tool.

Christmas Tree Fire Safety

Firefighters across the country see the devastation that a dry Christmas tree can cause. Below are a few tips to avoid tragedy. Check the videos produced by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent safety testing organization.

Keeping fresh Christmas trees well-watered can make all the difference in an emergency to avoid complete disaster. If ignited, a dry tree can become engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds, as opposed to a well-watered tree. Another good reminder why we should all keep an ABC fire extinguisher handy at home.



“Because many trees have been dormant for a couple months, it’s typical for them to absorb most of their water within six to eight hours after being brought into a warm home. Families should make a fresh cut to the trunk and place the tree in water as soon as possible once getting it home,” said Beth Walterscheidt, a tree farmer from Texas and president of NCTA. “Trees that are kept fresh during the holiday season are extremely difficult to ignite, which is why it is critical for consumers to commit to the care of their Christmas tree. If the water level falls below the cut surface for more than four to six hours, the tree’s ability to keep absorbing moisture is inhibited.”

Below is another example of what fire does in a very short time. Remember to turn off Christmas tree lights prior to going to bed. And probably the best tip, is to sleep with your bedroom doors closed. If you do have a fire, this simple move will keep the heat, fire and deadly smoke out of the families bedrooms. As a professional firefighter I have never removed a deceased victim from behind a closed door.



“If you put up your Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving, it needs to be taken down the week after Christmas,” Drengenberg said. “After New Year’s, even well-watered trees can become a fire hazard.”

•Regularly check your tree for fresh, green needles. Trees that have dried out over several weeks burn faster than fresh, well-watered trees. Remember to keep your tree watered at all times.

•Always keep candles, as well as matches and lighters, out of the reach of children, and don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles.

On average, real and artificial Christmas trees are the first items ignited in an estimated 210 home fires annually, according to the most recent NFPA statistics. While this represents a small portion of the estimated 85 million households that display a tree, consumers need to commit to taking care of a fresh tree, and keep flame sources away from plastic trees, to reduce the risk of their tree being involved in a home fire.

For more tips about holiday decorating safety, candle safety and cooking safety, please visit the UL Newsroom Web site or the NFPA Web site.

School Classroom Disaster Preparedness Kits- getting ready for the new school year.

As school begins another year, so must our efforts to get our children prepared for natural disasters at school. As parents, our commute to work sometimes seperates us from our children by counties. We must remind ourselves it could be hours or days before you return. Supplies important to survival need to be stored at school. Below is the short list of items.

Food- a 3 day supply providing necessary vitamins and mineral especially important when under stress. Food that is non-thirst provoking. Avoid foods high in sugar and/or salt. Food that will store year after year and stores well in heat.

Water- Critical to survival. Water should be sterile for long term storage and safety. Water should be rationed in 4 oz. servings. The body can only absorb 4 oz. within an hour for hydration. Any more than that simply gets wasted.

Warmth- To prevent hypothermia shock, a thermal blanket is a great solution. It reflects body heat back to the victim rather than being absorbed into the material. It is also waterproof, keeping the victim dry as well.

The classic mistakes made in putting your own earthquake kit together is selecting food or drink that is high in sugar, corn syrup, or high sodium which of course provokes more thirst. The unnatural thirst created by high sugars is the release of insulin which requires water for the process making one thirsty. Another mistake is not including enough water or using sugary fruit drinks. Last is not providing a blanket for warmth.

Consider where disaster preparedness supplies will be stored at the school, i.e. storage containers with heat affecting the food and water storage. If the water is not sterile and the packaging is not airtight, spoliage can occur in both the food and/or water.

Our Classroom Survival Packs solve all the above problems. Each 2400 calorie Food Bar will provide the energy and nutrition for 3 days while storing safely for 5 years. The 9 sterile Water Pouches are double sealed again for safety and a 5 year shelf life. The Thermal Banket will provide the warmth necessary if forced to spend the night outdoors. With the addition of a light stick the fear of being in the dark is eliminated. We provide kits to parents directly as well as to school sites.

Emergency Water Storage- long term

There is a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to emergency water storage. Such as, how do I store it? What are the safe methods to store long-term emergency water? And of course, how much emergency water should my family store?

1. So how much is enough? Whether you are storing emergency water for earthquakes, floods, etc. you should store at least one gallon per person per day for at least 7 days. I would suggest 3 weeks. For a family of four I would consider storing at least one 55 gallon Water Storage Barrel. Don't forget you are going to need water for not only drinking, but for food preparation, sanitation and first aid. Hand washing will become very important in a disaster to cut the risk of disease and infection. You can't have too much water.

2. How you store your water is critical for water safety. If you buy your water at the grocery store in plastic one gallon containers, you must realize that the plastic container is made of permeable plastic. It breathes, which means that bacteria and other contaminants can enter the container affecting water safety. They are not designed for long-term storage. Do not store these containers in the garage or on the concrete because the concrete along with car exhaust, pesticides, paints, solvents, etc. can leach into your water supply.

3. Do not store your water in old bleach bottles. When the bleach residue is mixed with tap water it will release harmful contaminants from the plastic bottles into your drinking water. The plastic bottles used with bleach were never intended for water storage or human consumption.

4. Never add bleach to your water storage, it does nothing to extend shelf life and only contaminates your water. The EPA website lists bleach as a pesticide. Bleach can contain mercury and arsenic. Even though there are dozens of websites that recommend its use for purification, I believe it should only be used as a last resort form of water treatment when you have no other way to make your water safe.

5. Storing untreated water in the wrong containers with the addition of heat and light can lead to growing bacteria to levels that could lead to dysentery. This could occur in three to twelve months depending on how and where they are stored, i.e. hot garage vs cool dark closet. Don't forget, if you live in earthquake country, don't store your supplies in the weakest part of the house, the garage. Garages only have 3 walls (garage doors do not provide structural support) and those large openings become the weak link in your home.

So what is the safe and correct way to store emergency water long-term? The best method is to use a product called "Water Preserver". This product is EPA approved for the storage of long-term emergency water. Because of its potency it kills all the bacteria in the water and the inside of the barrel leaving you with sterile water for 5 years. The Water Preserver must be used in combination with containers that are not clear and have caps that are airtight. These containers should be made of a safe plastic intended for long-term storage.

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5 tips to Earthquake Survival

The recent earthquakes in Haiti, Chile and this mornings temblor in Pico Rivera (the L. A. basin) reminds us that we must be prepared. We must take steps now to become more self reliant and capable of taking care of our families in an emergency.

What we must have in place are supplies that we will need immediately. Supplies that are critical when you will not have firefighters and paramedics available to respond to everyone. Supplies that are not readily available but necessary in a true emergency such as an earthquake.

1. A "Real" First Aid Kit- This is number one on our list because injuries don't and can't wait. They must be attended to immediately. You must have a kit that can handle problems even when you do not have immediate access to 9-1-1. A "Real" first aid kit is a kit that is more than a owie or boo, boo kit. More than just band-aids and wipes. What you need is a kit with at least CPR Face Shield, trauma dressings, multiple 4x4 gauze dressings, gauze rolls, paramedic scissors, a real splint (not popsicle sticks), sterile water, burn dressing, etc. This is a kit that can manage serious and minor injuries. The ability to stabilize and sterilize can be lifesaving when outside sources become limited or unavailable.

2. Utility shutoff tool- The ability to control your gas and water meters is extremely important to minimize property damage and risk to life safety. To reduce the risk of fire and explosions immediately following an earthquake is critical. Always check the gas meter dials to determine a leak. Don't rely on just smelling it. As most leaks will be in the walls or attic of the home and you may not smell gas til it is to late. Look for a non-sparking metal tool that will turn off both your gas and water meters.

3. Fire Extinguisher- Since all fires start small, having an extinguisher handy is a great advantage for preserving life and property. Purchase an ABC dry chemical extinguisher. This type will extinguish all three classes of fire (ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids and electrical. Keep a fire extinguisher in the home and car. Periodically check the gauge to make sure your extinguisher is fully charged.

4. Water storage- Even though you may not need water in the next hour. It will become critical to your families survival in the following hours and days. This not something you can get later. Store enough Water- a minimum of one gallon per person per day for 7-14 days for drinking and hygiene. Store tap water in approved barrels and treat with "Water Preserver" for five-year storage. Keep "Water Purification Tablets" on hand to treat any untreated or questionable water. One tablet will treat one quart of water. Never store water in old bleach bottles, milk type plastic containers (as they are made from breathable plastic) in the garage because any fumes from vehicles, paints, solvents, pesticides will contaminate your supply.

5. Car Survival Kit- Since we take our cars everywhere, place one in each family members car. You will always be prepared. Store 3-day Food Bar, Sterile Water Pouches, Medical, Warmth (thermal blanket) & Lightsticks and flashlight in your kit.

County Fire Departments respond to erroneous email

Phony email acknowledged today by both the Riverside and San Bernardino County Fire Departments. I received this email today.

Fw: Riverside County Fire Response to "SERIOUS - Please take time to read this local warning" (The earthquake "prediction")
Riverside County Fire Response to "SERIOUS - Please take time to read this local warning" (The earthquake "prediction")Monday, March 15, 2010 4:34:00 PMFrom: "San Bernardino Co Operational Area"
To:

For the past couple of weeks there has been an erroneous email circulating throughout San Bernardino/Riverside counties regarding a bogus earthquake prediction. Because the email fraudulently shows that it originated from the Riverside County Fire Department, please take note of the attached press release from Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire correcting the misinformation. This message is distributed at the request of Cal EMA, Earthquake and Tsunami Program.

San Bernardino County Operational Area
San Bernardino County Fire Department/Office of Emergency Services

Phone: (909) 356-3998
Fax: (909) 356-3965
Email: sbcoa@sbcfire.org

Visit us on the Web: www.sbcfire.org

Is California Earthquake Imminent

>> With all the recent activity in the world the concern for a devastating earthquake in California is on every ones mind. The above video comments are from a legitimate expert.

The email below has been circulating recently, believed to be from a fire chief in Southern California. After some investigation it has been determined this is not authentic and should be disregarded.

Even though the email may not be authentic, we shouldn't ignore the fact we must all be diligent in our effort to be prepared.

>> Chief CAL FIRE/RivCo Fire Dept
Hi all of you.. This email was sent to you all for your security
>> and safety. I have sent this email to my family, and all of my
>> friends on my email list. I just need to warn you... not scare you
>> ... of a feeling that I currently have and hold. But there is no
>> way to safely do both at the same time. I have been monitoring the
>> area earthquake activity, and things are looking bad on the
>> horizon.
>>
>> If things continue we may be faced with a catastrophic quake very soon. The area around Loma Linda/San Timeteo Canyon are rocking and
>> rolling. Over 300 quakes in the last 6 months, 100+ quakes in the last 3 days, including the 4.2 on Saturday. But there is also a moving fault trend along the "Woodcrest" Fault. This new fault is moving and migrating at an alarming rate.
>>
>> Quakes have migrated from near Colton to Riverside near Allesandro and Central Ave. in a very straight and new line and this trend has
>> had more then 10 separate quakes. Tonight there have been 25
>> quakes on just these two faults. This is a profile that fits with
>> the recent "Haiti" quake where hundreds of quakes happened there
>> over more then 6 months (as they have here to) all leading to the
>> big 7.2 quake.
>>
>> This quake, if centered in the Redlands area can still cause great damage to much of Southern California area. Please make some time
>> to make simple plans, stock some extra water, food, and know where
>> your camping equipment is. Have a stockpile of water, food not only
>> at home, but also a small amount in your cars along with a change
>> of clothes and walking or hiking shoes in your cars. Make sure you
>> have a good flashlight in your car, and a good flashlight TAPED to
>> the side of your bed. In case of a night quake, you will not be
>> able to safely go and "find" a flashlight in the dark and possible
>> rubble. Remember no candles or matches until you are sure there are
>> no gas leaks in your home, or the area.
>>
>> If this is a false alarm, there is still nothing lost, just a
>> little planning and practice done ahead. Have your "out of state"
>> phone contact number on your cell, and all of your kids know it as
>> well. In a large quake, local phones may not work for days, but
>> calls out of the state will work faster. have this person
>> coordinate where you and your family are, and if a meeting place is
>> needed, to set that up. The state and nation leader do not realize
>> how dire a straight a quake now would be, or in any period soon.
>> Most of the worlds emergency supplies have been used in Haiti and
>> the Samoan Island quakes. Rations of food and water are at a world
>> record low. Being prepared yourself is your only safe outcome.
>>
>> Stay well... be careful.. Go to any quake site to check things for yourself. Call me if you have a need to talk, or have a question.
>>