Security
Disaster Preparedness
Be Prepared - a plan and an emergency kit could save you and your family
Disaster Preparedness Sections
First Things
Signup for Smart911 and Reverse 911 (see Getting Started).
Decide where to meet in case of an emergency and make an evacuation plan (see Family Emergency Plan).
Keep enough car fuel/charged to reach an evacuation area if ordered to leave your home.
Make sure you have dry food and water if you have to shelter-in-place. Get a solar cell phone charger, flashlights, and an emergency radio.
Start putting together an evacuation kit. Include key financial, legal, medical information and contacts (hard copy and memory stick) and at least a one-week supply of medication.
See Emergency Kits and Supplies list below. It includes what you need for yourself and pets.
Preparing for an Emergency
Know What to Do During and After an Earthquake
Earthquakes are not as large a threat here as in other parts of California but you should know what to expect and how to respond should one occur close to Monarch Dunes. See the Earthquake Fact Sheet for important information about earthquakes.
A greater concern is that an earthquake damages power lines and we have an extended power outage. Diablo Canyon power plant provides more than 20% of PG&E's power.
Wildfire Risk
Cal Fire considers Monarch Dunes to be at low risk from wildfires. Some residents near the Monarch Butterfly preserve have expressed concern over the danger of a fire in the preserve. Cal Fire recommends that residents of the townhomes withdraw to a safe location should a fire develop in this area.
Fires originating inside the home are the more likely fire danger to Monarch Dunes residents. For additional information about preparing for and responding to home fires, go to the Home Safety page and review the House Fire Fact Sheet.
Disaster and Emergency Notifications
Connect to County and State Emergency Communication
Use County services such as Smart911 and Reverse 911 in addition to radio and TV.
SMART911: SLO county 911 operators use Smart911 to provide critical information for first responders. You can list information like medical issues, medications for people in your household. Register your home and mobile phones at the link above or through the mobile app. The mobile app also allows location tracking if you call from your mobile phone.
Reverse 911: Emergency alerts are automatically sent to land lines. Residents can have alerts on their mobile phones by registering the phones at Reverse 911.
Earthquake Alerts: The USGS provides earthquake email and text alerts. Sign up at USGS Earthquake Notification to get alerts or download the QuakeAlert mobile app to your smartphone.
Emergency Response notices: In a disaster, county and state emergency, response organizations will attempt to notify residents. See Know Your Alerts and Warnings for more information.
Evacuation Areas - Always have enough car fuel/charge to reach a safe evacuation area if ordered to leave your home. SLO County has designated several locations for use as evacuation centers. Monarch Dunes residents will be notified of our specific evacuation center(s) at the time an evacuation order is given.
Family Emergency Plan
Establish an emergency plan, family communication plans and agreed upon gathering points for family members who are separated. See Ready. gov Emergency Planning.
The Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens also offers a downloadable PDF form called the Vial of Life. You can enter critical family member medical or fill out information on-line Keep a printed copy in your home and go-bag for first responders.
Emergency Kits and Go-bags
In an emergency having a shelter-at-home emergency supply kit and evacuation go-bags can make things much easier. Kits should be capable of sustaining your family and pets for a minimum of 3 days, preferably 7 days. Make sure that Go-bags contain a copy of your financial, legal, and medical information.
Pets should have their own emergency kits for them. Have a plan for how and where you will keep them if you must evacuate. If you go to a public shelter, your animals may not be allowed inside.
The following lists are not comprehensive, but are intended to give you enough information to prepare basic kits. Each person’s/pet’s needs are unique and may need to adjust the kit contents.
Shelter-At-Home Kit
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Water: 1 gal/person/day.
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Non-perishable nutrition: Canned goods, dehydrated prepackaged meals, sealed nuts, sealed high protein items (e.g. jerky, protein bars). It is best if cooking is not required.
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Medicine: OTC and prescription health medications.
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Personal hygiene: Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hairbrush, contact lenses, contact lens cleaner, and an extra pair of regular glasses.
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First Aid kit: There are a wide variety of options available for first aid kits. You can either assemble your kit from scratch or purchasing a commercially available kit.
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Emergency radio: AM/FM/NOAA weather alert radio. Some radios include additional options such as a flashlight, hand crank recharger and/or solar cells to recharge radio or other devices like your cell phone. (see link below)
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Flashlight
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Batteries: Hearing aid, radio, and flashlight.
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Ignition source: matches (in a waterproof container) and/or a butane lighter (e.g. BBQ lighter wand).
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Bottle opener and manual can opener
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Duct tape & plastic sheeting: May be needed to seal doors and other home openings against airborne contaminants.
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N95 mask: May be needed in the event of an airborne threat.
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Pet supplies: Water, food, meds, treats, and toys. Go to Ready.gov.pets for more information on this subject.
Download Emergency Kit and Supplies checklist (shelter-at-home, human and pet go-bags)
Human Go-bag
Each person should have their own “Go-bag” which can be carried in case you must evacuate your home. The Go-bag should have same items as are needed for shelter at home with enough supplies sufficient to reach your evacuation center.
You can also purchase pre-assembled emergency Go-bag food kits. Examples include SOS Products (emergency food) and Amazon Emergency Food Supplies
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Multi-tools: Multi-tools used for camping often provide items you may need. Features such a wrench, hammer, small axe blade, multiple knife blades, Philips and flathead screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutter, and a can opener are good to have.
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Blankets, sleeping bags and extra clothing: You can purchase emergency blankets and emergency sleeping bags that store very compactly and are effective at retaining body heat. Have additional clothing that you can layer in case you must remain outside for any amount of time
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Footwear: Have an extra pair of boots or comfortable walking shoes in case you must walk any distance or on unpaved ground
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Legal & financial records: encrypted thumb drive or hard copy of property ownership and bank records
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Contact list: hard copy (wallet size) of emergency contacts
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Cash: enough to purchase necessary items for a month should ATMs and credit/debit card readers not be working
Pet Go-bag
Each pet should have its own “Go-bag” that can be carried with you in case you must evacuate your home with your pets.
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Water: Sufficient to reach your evacuation center
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Nutrition: Food for 7 days stored in air and watertight containers
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Medicine: All pet meds you have at home, including flea and tick prevention items
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Security items: collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag and a leash. Crate or pet carrier large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down
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Comfort items: bedding, most favored toys, and treats can help reduce your pet’s anxiety and stress.
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Documentation: registration information, adoption papers, and vaccination documents. A picture of you and your pet together so if you become separated, you can ask others to assist you in your search. This also shows ownership
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Sanitation items: pet litter/litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach, latex gloves, and isopropyl alcohol
Go to ready.gov/pets for more information.
Links
Download Emergency Kit and Supplies checklist (shelter-at-home, human and pet go-bags)
Pet supplies: Water, food, meds, treats, and toys. Go to Ready.gov.pets for more information on this subject.
Product Links
The following items have been given positive reviews by consumers. Treat this as a starting point. TSPC does not endorse any specific product. Please review and decide for yourself.
Emergency Survival Kits
SOS Products Emergency Survival Kits
Amazon Links
Emergency Radios - Some emergency radios provide solar phone charging; make sure the charger is compatible with your phone.
Type S Jump Starter and Power Bank - Car jump starter. Some models also charge electronics.
Emergency Portable Water Container - Plan for 1 gallon of water per person per day and SLO country recommends water for 7 days. Trilogy should have water for 5 days provided people turn off their outside watering.
Gas and Water Shut-off Tools
Gas and Water Shutoff tools are available locally and through online stores like Amazon. See the Home Emergency page for more information.