Preparing for disaster

Getting out of narrow, secluded Lombardy Lane is difficult under

normal circumstances. Trying to get out in an emergency could be

deadly. That’s why Chuck Lennon called a neighborhood meeting to

discuss disaster preparedness.

The need to be prepared became apparent in the wake of the

hurricanes that devastated southern coastal cities. Organizing small

neighborhood response teams is a step in the right direction,

according to guidelines developed by the city. The guidelines stress

the need for residents to be able to take care of themselves for

three days. They should also be equipped for mass evacuation and

prepared to assist neighbors.

“We have a wonderful group of neighbors that not only socialize

together, but help out one another,” Lennon said Sunday at the

Lombardy Lane Preparation Party. “But after Hurricane Katrina, I

realized how ill-prepared we are.”

Lennon distributed folders full of information to the 20 neighbors

who attended the neighborhood meeting. By the end of October, the

neighbors will report progress on the goals they set: the

organization of important documents, with duplicates sent to an area

outside of Laguna; making “go-bags” with essential items to keep at

home and in vehicles; and choosing “buddies,” in order to keep track

of residents and pets if disaster strikes.

Voters will go to the polls on Dec. 13 to decide if they want to

impose a six-year sales tax increase on themselves. Some of increase

will be used to pay for projects and programs that were postponed

indefinitely due to the costs of repairing city infrastructure

damaged in the June 1 Flamingo Road landslide.

The rest will be banked so that in future disasters the city will

have the financial wherewithal to weather the storm. Laguna is

subject to wildfires, floods, landslides, mudslides, earthquakes and

-- though less likely -- tsunamis, if the Newport Englewood Fault

takes a major jolt two miles off the city’s coast.

“If the half-cent tax increase is approved by the voters, the city

council intends to use a big portion of it to create a disaster

fund,” City Manager Ken Frank said.

“My fear is an emergency when I am away and [wife] Stephanie is

alone,” Lennon said. “I am not doing her any favors by not being

prepared.”

Also discussed at the Lombardy Lane meeting:

* ICE -- a number that can be installed on cell phones in case of

emergency. It is one of the first things police check, Lennon said.

* A contact number outside of Laguna, better yet outside of

California, to be used as a clearinghouse for information when lines

into a disaster area are clogged.

* Go-bags containing packaged foods, water, toiletries and

essential medication for people and pets -- one for the car and one

for the house.

* Gasoline tanks kept at least half-full. Even if roads are open,

gas stations might not be.

* Pet rescue plan. One Lombardy Lane resident has the keys to

homes where pet owners work out of town, to be used in case of an

emergency. Emergency rations for pets are also advised.

* Map of hiking trails, in case evacuation by vehicle becomes

impossible.

“We usually have just one lane of traffic on Lombardy,”

20-year-resident Bob DiTullio said.

Lombardy Lane residents exuded good will and concern for their

neighbors at the meeting. It is a model for other neighborhoods

interested in readying for disasters.

Residents at Sunday’s meeting were unaware that the city has

disaster preparedness guidelines posted on its website.

A citizens committee met for two years surveying residents’

preparedness and developing the guidelines. Police Capt. Danell Adams

and David Horne, chairman of the Greater Laguna Coast Fire Safe

Council, are collaborating on an update.

The guidelines include the telephone numbers and some addresses of

local resources: police and fire-department nonemergency numbers,

schools, utilities, 24-hour emergency medical care, urgent or walk-in

crisis counseling, veterinarians and senior citizens organizations.

Guidelines provide instructions for evacuation, potential shelter

sites, artificial respiration and other first-aid techniques, and

provisions for children who may not be with family members in a

disaster.

In the 1993 firestorm, elementary and middle school students were

evacuated to Laguna Beach High School. When that site was threatened,

those who had not been picked up by a parent or authorized substitute

-- schools must have written authorization -- were bused to Dana

Point.

The Disaster Preparedness guidelines are available on-line at

o7www.lagunabeachcity.net /community/disaster. evacuation.htmf7 or

by calling the city’s community services officer, Coleen Walloch, at

(949) 497-0382. The Verizon telephone book for Laguna Beach also has

emergency preparedness information near the end of the customer

information guide, before the alphabetical listings begin.

Frank was directed Tuesday by the council to work with the Laguna

Relief Coalition to conduct a series of neighborhood workshops next

year to advise residents on proper preparations for natural or

man-made disasters.

“It is critically important for individuals to be prepared to be

on their own for a minimum of three days,” Fire Chief Mike Macey

said. “They need to know how to shut off their gas and electricity

and how to assist their neighbors.”

Check with the residents of Lombardy Lane. They are on top of it.

QUESTION

Should the city’s disaster plan be updated? Write us at P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, CA, 92652, e-mail us at

[email protected] f7or fax us at 494-8979. Please give

your name and tell us your home address and phone number for

verification purposes only.