Right now --from Malibu beach to the canyons --Santa Barbara to million-dollar estates in Scrips Ranch --resorts in the woods but unusually at the top --to arid inland horse country: over seven areas on fire, even where it's humid, whipped by fierce Santa Anas that snapped power lines --and sick cuckoos, who may have set more. --Fire --feeding on drought-dry trees, brush --homes.
Some: know all about fire --they've seen this movie before, know what to do --they are ready.
Some surrounded by flaming trees --blocked from using either street to exit --escape, don't know what to do, now. What would you do? What about furry members of the family...photos, underwear... groceries...important papers....
Southern California: on a different track than Northern California. We get a Major earthquake about every 150 years. We: way 'over-do.' It is coming...you know it... you've lived through a few semi-serious quakes, right?
--October 1, 1987? Living in Los Feliz...just made coffee --holding French Press when it hit, grabbed the edge of the sink with the other hand, held on.
When it stopped --pot down --ran to the next room: saw the vase --on the edge --so close: if I merely blew on it, would have gone over. Swept it off the dresser --onto the bed, threw doubled covers over it --dashed --but only got to the doorway --as #3 struck. Held onto the door jamb, kept holding on --till it knocked me down; stayed on the floor, a long time, it seemed, but: not long enough, rose slowly, headed back to the kitchen --as #4 tossed me up against the counter, again --not exactly a Good spot: held on for up-close & personal view --as things on shelves, in cupboards --proved gravity still existed. As I dodged, ducked: vowed to move Out --of California.
Then: I was fairly certain if I got into my car, headed to the office --street would split open, swallow me, never seen again....
But: I was Still here --January 17, 1994...were you? When it was over: every single thing --in a Huge pile --in Each room.... As I burrowed under the covers, days -nights, the question was: was I hungry enough --to climb Over the piles to get to the kitchen.... Usually: the answer was 'nope.'
But I way wasn't alone. The 6.2 Northridge quake, so bad, did so much wide-spread damage: waiters played cards in dining rooms, of fine restaurants, while long lines formed --at drive-through windows of junk food houses. Nobody wanted to get out of their car, sit inside, long enough even for a cheap poor quality meal.
People who had job, home, car --a nice life: suddenly didn't have any of those --or plates, electricity, gas, pans, working fridge --way to make a meal --or get gasoline out of non-working pumps... they also stood --in line, at the park, heard Red Cross worker say: 'sorry, we ran out of soup, an hour ago, can't help....'
When the shaking stops, your hands, not the house: reality creeps back. Mid-west: has tornadoes. South: tornadoes with rain --hurricanes. Northwest: torrential rain, flooding. The North, New England, Up-state New York: human-swallowing snow drifts. No Such Thing: Perfect Place.
Took two weeks to find my slippers. Now: Never get into bed --without slippers directly under the bed --flashlight Bedside. I had climbed through the rubble in the dark, to get outside to the car radio: my feet were cut, bleeding, from embedded glass --I didn't notice for hours, till the sun came up.... Now: a solar radio.
If it isn't one thing --fire --quake --a really bad driver plowing into your home: it's Another, as Gilda Radner used to say. So the thing is: How to Deal with it. "Nevermind" won't cut it....
Silver Lake: fault line runs through it...downtown...to the Valley.... Ready --or blocked? Better to Learn what to Do, Before it happens. Silver Lake daVine way --better than cowering under the covers, hungry:
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAINING
Prep - October 24, 2007
Learn to care for your family and neighbors in a time of crisis.
Training by the Los Angeles Fire Department
Become CERT Certified!
Earn your helmet and vest and become qualified to take immediate action when an emergency occurs!
Location:
The Dream Center (former site of Queen of Angels Hospital)
703 Waterloo Street
Los Angeles 90026
Bellevue Avenue and Kent Street
Park: lot off Waterloo and Kent
Class:
October 24 through December 5, 2007
7:00-9:30 PM
Seven consecutive Wednesdays
Final class: December 5.
To register for classes and more information contact:
Barb Dakin (213) 413-4221
See website for further information and your copy of the CERT Manual:
www.CERT-LA.com
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
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tag: prepare prep ready training household family earthquake fire mudslide flood emergency neighborhood residence home apartment prepared class CERT Los Angeles Silver Lake Fire Department
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