Staying Safe After An Earthquake
How soon can expect local emergency response after an earthquake?
Depending on the magnitude of the earthquake - how widespread the earthquake is - it may be several days to a week before emergency response officials arrive in a local area to provide assistance. Therefore, it's very important to realize that you and your neighbors are the true first responders to the earthquake, who are going to be helping each other both in terms of medical issues and all of the emergency situations that might come up. In a true emergency situation of someone who's really injured - a life threatening emergency - you want to try to get word out any way you can. If the phone lines are down, the cell phones are down, it may be a matter of sending someone walking to their nearest fire station to find help to bring to where that injured person is. Otherwise, develop the neighborhood capacity to treat injuries through a community emergency response team - people who know CPR etc. Know the skills of the people in your neighborhood in order for you to be the first responders after an earthquake.
What local services will be offered after an earthquake?
After a damaging earthquake, there'll be many organizations that begin to mobilize activities to serve the needs of the affected people in the community that was damaged by the earthquake. This includes the American Red Cross, the local, state and federal emergency management agencies, police departments, fire departments and many others. However, depending on the size of the earthquake, it may take several days before people in the affected areas really begin to receive these benefits. It's important that people realize that they're the first responders to the earthquake. They need to be prepared in advance and ready to handle the situation as it arises.
Where can I find alternate sources of shelter, medicine, and food after an earthquake?
After an earthquake you may need to look for shelter, food and water in a variety of places than you may normally go. Churches and synagogues may be providing shelter, and schools may be places where shelter is set up for people who can't stay in their homes. Food and water may be available through your neighbors joining together to provide for the community. If you need medication after an earthquake, you may be able to get that from local clinics and hospitals if you're needing access to prescription medication.
Where can I go if an earthquake destroys my home?
If unfortunately during an earthquake your home is destroyed or damaged to the point where it's unsafe to live in, in the days following an earthquake, you are probably not alone. There are probably many people who are in that same situation and who are going to be seeking shelter. If it's possible for you, stay living on your property, perhaps in your back yard if you have camping equipment. That really is the best option because of the shelter demand that there is going to be throughout the community. If that's not an option for you, check with your neighbors and see if you can live with them. Then proceed to try to find shelter through perhaps American Red Cross or another shelter that's set up like those through a church, synagogue or other community location.
