DO NOW - 
Northwest Prepared

​Prepare Before the next big earthquake we recommend these four steps that will make you, your family, or your workplace better prepared to survive and recover quickly:
  • Be Informed
  • Make A Plan
  • Build A Kit
  • Get Involved
Plan To Be Safe 
by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. 
​
Organize Disaster Supplies 
in convenient locations.

Minimize Financial Hardship 
by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance.
​
Survive and Recover
During the next big earthquake, and immediately after, is when your level of preparedness will make a difference in how you and others survive and can respond to emergencies.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On 
when the earth shakes.

Improve Safety 
after earthquakes by evacuating if necessary, helping the injured, and preventing further injuries or damage.
After the immediate threat of the earthquake has passed, your level of preparedness will determine your quality of life in the weeks and months that follow.

Reconnect and Restore
daily life by reconnecting with others, repairing damage and rebuilding community. ​Secure Your Space 
by identifying hazards and securing moveable items.
​

Disaster supplies; kits

Have disaster supplies kits stored in accessible locations at home, at work and in your vehicle: 
Medications, prescription list, copies of medical cards, doctor’s name and contact information
Medical consent forms for dependents
First aid kit and handbook
Examination gloves (non-latex)
Dust mask
Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses and cleaning solution
Bottled water
Whistle (to alert rescuers to your location)
Sturdy shoes
Emergency cash
Road maps
List of emergency out-of-area contact phone numbers
Snack foods, high in water and calories
Working flashlight with extra batteries and light bulbs, or light sticks
Personal hygiene supplies
Comfort items such as games, crayons, writing materials, teddy bears
Toiletries and special provisions you need for yourself and others in your family including elderly, disabled, small children, and animals.
Copies of personal identification (drivers license, work ID card, etc.)


Household disaster supplies kit: 
Water (minimum one gallon a day for each person)
Wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies
Work gloves and protective goggles
Heavy duty plastic bags for waste, and to serve as tarps, rain ponchos, and other uses
Portable radio with extra batteries (or hand crank for charging)
Additional flashlights or light sticks
Canned and packaged foods
Charcoal or gas grill for outdoor cooking and matches if needed
Cooking utensils, including a manual can opener
Pet food and pet restraints
Comfortable, warm clothing including extra socks
Blankets or sleeping bags, and perhaps even a tent
Copies of vital documents such as insurance policies

Use and replace perishable items like water, food, medications and batteries on a yearly basis.

Preparing for Earthquakes

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVF&R)
http://www.tvfr.com/index.aspx?nid=183

How earthquake-savvy are you? 
Will we be ready for the megaquake in Oregon?  Check out OPB's Unprepared series
    Washington County's October 2015 Quake-Up! (video of presentation on Oregon's Cascadia threat)
Recorded webinar with downloadable presentations: Communicating Cascadia's Earthquake Risk

See how vulnerable your home/office is via the free Temblor website and web-based app.
Take San Francisco's QuakeQuiz 
Play Beat The Quake
Why buy earthquake insurance?
What do earthquakes look like? (Videos)
Let OPB show you what a Cascadia Subduction Zone quake would be like where you live
Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission
Oregon Resilience Task Force

How do you protect yourself during an earthquake? Drop, Cover, and Hold on! 
    Videos and additional details on protecting yourself during an earthquake
    Why Drop, Cover, and Hold On is far preferable to "triangle of life"

It's the law: conduct an earthquake drill at your workplace 
Earthquake drills are the law for all Oregon schools, too. 
Conduct a Home Hazard Hunt and make a few simple changes to keep your home contents from killing you during an earthquake (also known as "non-structural mitigation") Learn how (and whether) to shut off your utilities
(more)