The earthquake in Napa last weekend was a wake-up call to us here on the Peninsula. We need to be ready at any time for any kind of disaster. The City of Belvedere has done a lot to prepare for a scenario such as this, but you need to do your part to protect yourself, your family and your home. The City of Belvedere is here to help you Get Ready!

One of the best things you can do to prepare yourself is to take a free Get Ready class which provides more valuable information than could ever be written in a brief newsletter article. Topics range from earthquake proofing your home to tips such as keeping a pair of shoes and a flashlight under your bed so you can safely maneuver yourself out of a debris filled home in the middle of the night. A Get Ready class will also assist you in creating a plan for communicating and reuniting with loved ones should you be separated during an emergency event.  For example, if local phone service isn’t working or is busy, an out of area contact at least 200 miles away can relay important information amongst your family members. Texting may also be more effective than a phone call.

The Get Ready presentation will also discuss important resources already in place on the Peninsula. Some may be surprised to learn of our local radio station, SNAP radio 840 am, that broadcasts essential information on local emergency situations such as road closures, traffic conditions, power outages, and first aid station and/or shelter activation information. The main first aid station is located at Del Mar Middle School in Tiburon, and Belvedere has a medical supply trailer stocked with first aid supplies as well. Local shelters will be designated and opened as needed.

Receiving pertinent information and emergency warnings as quickly as possible is imperative, so the City of Belvedere has established multiple methods to reach residents.  Four sirens located around the peninsula alert residents of an emergency and remind people to tune into SNAP 840 am for additional information.  While the sirens are effective in getting attention outdoors, the Alert Marin telephone notification system helps reach residents indoors and out by sending a local emergency message from Emergency Services to your home and cell phones via voice, text, or email. To register for emergency notifications, please go to www.alertmarin.org. The City will also use electronic email bulletins to get important information to you. To sign up for these community alerts, please visit the Notify Me page on the City’s website.

Another crucial aspect of getting ready includes having the right emergency supplies set aside in your home, car and workplace. Information on supplies you should have in a kit can be found in the Get Ready manual on pages 7 and 8. During Get Ready classes, attendees review critical supplies and discuss where to purchase them and where to store them.

For more information on disaster preparedness or to sign up for an upcoming Get Ready class, please go to www.getready94920.org or call Laurie Nilsen, Emergency Services Coordinator, at (415) 435-7386.  Upcoming classes include a special class for seniors, Get Ready over dinner, and a special Get Ready event at the Fire Station.