PANDA - Learn how to survive in an Earthquake
When the earthquake hit in October 1989, I was at work in a building that moved dramatically but was not damaged. We all immediately evacuated and drove down streets where signal lights were inoperative and volunteers directed traffic at intersections. I saw no panic but clearly a strong need to get home to families.
I was living alone at that time and as it grew dark I lit all the candles and planned a simple meal from whatever supplies I had in the house, not knowing how long my dog and I would be alone there in the dark. The phones were not working, the electricity everywhere was out and except for the gas stove and fireplace I had no other heat source. As the evening went on I remember feeling a deep sense of isolation and fear. I didn’t know my neighbours, I didn’t have any source of real information. It wasn’t until late in the evening that I remembered having a battery operated radio stashed away somewhere and that finally gave me a glimpse into what was going on in Palo Alto. I heard rumours of collapsed over passes, destroyed highways, collapsed bridges but nothing was confirmed. I was aware of fear, helplessness in myself and in the people who were reporting.
In the morning I found the electricity restored and life continued. We had experienced a 6.9 earthquake which lasted 15 seconds and the epicenter was located 10 miles north of Santa Cruz on the San Andreas Fault. Property close to the epicenter experienced great damage. San Francisco experienced much damage and some loss of life. In our town however it was relatively minimal. We had no collapsed bridges, overpasses or destroyed roads. Our inconvenience was brief. But the memory of what it could have been like has remained with me.
What if it had lasted longer than 15 seconds, or had been more intense? What if I could not drive my car, no supermarkets were open to provide food; what if my home had collapsed and I had to seek shelter outside? What would I have done to protect myself and my property? What if I had been injured, where would I go for help? All this remained unanswered until I heard of a program that was established here in Palo Alto in the years after 1989.
PANDA (stands for Palo Alto Neighbourhood Disaster Activities) and is offered by the Palo Alto Fire Department. It offers the residents of Palo Alto a program to learn how to help your family, neighbourhood and community during emergencies like earthquakes, fire or severe weather. This is a valuable training program that provides disaster preparedness and response for Palo Alto.
As a result of what I learned during the fascinating six week class I attended 2 years ago, I now know how to take care of myself, my pets and family. I know how to offer help to my neighbours. I have a kit in my car to help me get home through any conditions; I have supplies on my property that will allow me to survive for up to a week should I be without the shelter of my home.
Nothing can prevent natural disasters from occuring but it does give one a little comfort to know we can all take responsibilty for ourselves and our families by getting information, learning more about what is available.