Emergency Preparedness

Earthquake Action Plan

When an earthquake strikes, the earth may pitch and roll like large waves on water for up to one minute. In a large earthquake, there will be a tremendous clamor of breaking glass and falling furniture and fixtures. By knowing and practicing what to do, you can remain calm and in control. Your chances of survival are good if you are prepared.

General Guidelines - Before, During and After an Earthquake

Before:

• Conduct training sessions and hold "Drop and Cover" drills
• Identify and correct non-structural hazards in each Program’s area
• Record and maintain inventory of staff emergency response skills. Know who can give first aid, CPR, and conduct post-earthquake evaluations of the buildings
• Designate the location for emergency operations
• Provide necessary emergency equipment and supplies
• Develop a staff release policy
  

During:

• If indoors, stay indoors
• Move away from windows and any objects that could fall on you
• Take cover under a sturdy desk or table
• If there is no place to take cover, stand in a doorway or against an inside wall
• Cover your head with your arms to protect yourself from falling debris
• If outside, stay outside and move to a clear area away from trees, buildings, and electrical wires.
  

After:

• Stay calm and prepare for aftershocks
• Meet in the designated area and wait for instructions from the Command Center
• If unable to leave the building, gather supplies/equipment and prepare to be without outside help for up to three days (72 hours)
  
  

Command Center personnel and locations will vary by building site; each of the ESD’s satellite locations will establish their own Command Center location (see command centers section, below). The Superintendent and/or his designated representatives are in charge of directing all emergency operations until emergency authorities arrive at the scene.

Implement the four Earthquake Plan Elements:

• Superintendent’s Earthquake Action Plan
• Program Directors’ Earthquake Action Plan
• First Aid Providers’ Earthquake Action Plan
• Maintenance/Facilities Earthquake Action Plan
  

Record all events, decisions, and actions

Superintendent’s Earthquake Action Plan

Before:

• Call for periodic evacuation drills
• Practice action plan elements for everyone’s area of responsibility
  Identify and compile a list of all non-structural hazards (unanchored book shelves, overhead storage, etc.)
• Establish a staff release policy
• Compile an accurate list of all staff members who are certified in CPR, First Aid, or other emergency response skills
• Evaluate the security of all sensitive records and documents
• Establish the location of an Emergency Command Center for all ESD locations
• Provide for dependable emergency communication
• Record locations of shut-off valves for gas, water and electricity
• Record locations of first aid and emergency supplies
• Determine the location of any alternative shelters
• Establish an administrative chain-of-command
  

During:

• Direct staff in your area to take appropriate cover and to stay calm

After:

• Account for all staff members in your immediate area
• Direct evacuation procedures
• Open Emergency Command Center
• Initiate communication with emergency agencies
• Direct Program Managers, Facilities Staff, and First Aid Providers to perform their pre-assigned duties
• Compile a list of staff members who are unaccounted for
• Review preliminary post-quake structural damage assessment
• If there are questions about the building’s safety, evacuate to alternative shelters or release staff
• Notify emergency agencies of any injuries
  

Program Directors’ Earthquake Action Plan

Before:

• Maintain current staff roster
• Keep roster easily accessible near an office door

During:

• Direct staff in your area to take appropriate cover and to stay calm
  

After:

• Account for all staff members in your Program’s area
• Direct evacuation procedures
• Report fires, injuries, and any damage to the Emergency Command Center’s personnel
• Make sure anyone who is injured receives appropriate First-Aid
• Report all available first aid supplies and emergency supplies in your area to the Command Center staff
• Once your area is secured and evacuated, report to Command Center for further assignments

First Aid Providers’ Earthquake Action Plan

A First Aid provider is someone who has successfully completed approved First Aid and/or CPR courses. A list of persons with current First Aid/CPR certifications will be maintained in Administrative Services.

Before:

• Familiarize yourself with the location of all first aid equipment and supplies in the building

During:

• Direct staff in your area to take appropriate cover and to stay calm

After:

• Assess injured persons in your immediate area, prioritize assistance according to severity of injuries.
• Record all injuries and all First Aid measures administered
• Once First Aid has been provided, report to Command Center for additional instructions
• Determine need for further medical assistance

Maintenance/Facilities Earthquake Action Plan

Before:

• Assist Program Directors and Safety Committee by identifying and reducing all non-structural hazards
• Record all shut-off locations, provide necessary keys and tools to shut off utilities as needed
• Identify locations of any hazardous materials that could be released/spilled during an earthquake
• Maintain an ESD building map showing:
  - fire extinguishers
  - rescue and emergency equipment
  - first aid supplies
  - food and water supplies

During:

• Direct staff in your area to take appropriate cover and to stay calm

After:

• Shut off utilities to minimize possible danger from damaged lines/pipes
• Take a preliminary survey of any structural and non-structural damage
• Report your initial findings to the Command Center personnel
• Assist in the partial or total evacuation of the building as directed by Command Center personnel
• Assist with emergency supplies/equipment as directed by Command Center personnel

Recommended Emergency Supplies

It is recommended that each department keep an inventory of the following items on hand for use during an emergency:

• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Fire extinguisher
• Bottled water
• Fully stocked First Aid kit

Written records of emergency supplies should be kept easily accessible near an office door.

Earthquake/Emergency Supplies for the PSESD Main Building in Renton

There are two earthquake kits located in the off-site storage container in the southeast corner of the parking area.

Kit #1 Contents

First Aid kit
First Aid handbook
Tool Kit (including hammer, pliers, tape measure, screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, utility knife)
Flashlight with batteries (expire 12/2010)
Can Opener
Duct Tape (2 rolls)
Leather Gloves (2 pairs)
10' X 25' plastic sheet (protective shelter)
Rope/wire
Nails
Shovel
Hack Saw (w/extra blades)
Crowbar
Water pail
Latex gloves (box of 100)

Kit #2 Contents

4 person rescue team kit:

8-12hr Light Sticks (exp. 03/2010)

4-flashlights w/battery sets (exp. 08/2010)

4- Hard Hats

4- Goggles

12- Dust Masks

4- Safety Vests

2pr- Knee Pads

12pr- Leather Palmed Gloves

4- Whistles

4- Lumber Crayons, Yellow

Entry & Debris Removal:

1- Shovel

1- Fire Axe

1- Hacksaw w/blades

1- Bolt Cutter

2- Wrecking Bars

1- 4 Ton Hydraulic Jack

1- Tri-Fold Shovel

1- Pick Mattock

1- Poly Rope, 50'

Emergency Hand Tools (Green Duffel Bag):

1-Pipe Wrench

1- Adjustable Wrench

1- 8pc Screwdriver Set

1- 5pc Pliers Set

1- Claw Hammer

1- Chisel

1- Wallboard Saw

1- Camp Axe

1- 3lb Sledge Hammer

1- Utility Knife

Emergency Gear:

1- 120hr Candle

1- Heavy Duty Tarp (16x20)

2- Rolls Duct Tape

1- Roll Barrier Tape

1 - Box Matches

1- Can Opener

1- Solar Crank AM/FM Radio

1- Portable Toilet w/bags

1- Pkg Water Purification Tablets (50 tabs/Pkg)

Command Center Locations for all ESD Buildings/Sites


Main ESD Building, Renton: Northwest corner of the parking lot in front of the main entrance.

Head Start Park Lake 1:


Head Start Park Lake 2:


Head Start Learning Center:


Head Start Transportation, Sumner:


ESD Satellite Building, Fife: West side of the building near the main entrance.


Relife South, Lakewood: