How Prepared Is Petaluma for the "Big One"?

Rodgers Creek Fault, which runs just east of Petaluma, is considered by many scientists the most likely Bay Area fault to cause a large earthquake.  

Even if it doesn't, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates a more than 60 percent chance that an earthquake measuring 6.7 or higher on the Richter scale will hit our region in the next 30 years.  

Which raises the question: Just how ready is Petaluma?  

The city has a thorough emergency plan it can activate in case of a large earthquake, flood or other disaster, natural or manmade. In such a scenario, employees from different departments would fan out throughout town checking water lines and other infrastructure, and making sure no one is trapped in their home or needs medical attention.

But if there is significant destruction—damaged homes, power outages, injuries or even casualties— it could take hours, if not days before responders reach all areas of town. That means residents can easily find themselves without clean water, food and other provisions needed to survive.  

To address this issue, a group of Petaluma residents launched a Community Emergency Response Team, part of a national program organized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.  

Started in 2005 in the months following Hurricane Katrina, CERT trained more than 100 Petaluma residents about basic fire safety, search and rescue techniques and First Aid, taught in a 27-hour long class.  

The program was sponsored by the city, a FEMA requirement, with firefighters leading most of the courses.  

But in 2010, it came to a grinding halt after a volunteer got into a car accident as he left a training, then sued the city for damages. Petaluma paid more than $1 million to settle the claim and soon after announced that it could no longer sponsor the program.  

The end of city sponsorship was the death knell of the program, something the founders say is a big mistake.  

“At any time, there’s only 15 firefighters on duty in the city and only one or two Red Cross representatives,” said Bill Paxton, a Petaluma resident and retired risk manager who helped launch CERT courses in Petaluma following Hurricane Katrina.  

“That’s not enough fire or police personnel to be able to respond to a major event…The purpose is for people to be prepared to take care of themselves, their families and their neighbors.”  

Many names, one goal

The Petaluma Fire Department says it’s unfortunate residents are no longer being trained about how to prepare for an emergency, but adds that there are other programs that teach people about what to do in case of a flood, earthquake or another catastrophic event.  

“We support community preparedness 100 percent, but it doesn’t have to be done through CERT,” says Petaluma Battalion Chief Jeff Schach, who heads the department’s emergency medical services division.  

Instead, Schach says other programs such as Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies, or COPE, can be equally valuable. Started by the Oakmont community in Santa Rosa, COPE works by organizing residents into teams, then walking their neighborhood to meet neighbors and creating an emergency plan for each home.
Another component is taking note of residents’ skills that could be useful in an emergency (like electrical, plumbing, medical, etc.)  

“If we could drive through a neighborhood and have a volunteer tell us they’ve checked the whole neighborhood and everything looks good, that would be a big help to us,” Schach said. “But there are many ways to go about it.”  

Paxton disagrees.  

“COPE is an informational program, but it doesn’t give people any hands on experience or training,” he says. “It’s better than nothing, but it’s a baby step.”   Paxton says he gets several calls each week from people who are interested in becoming CERT-certified and has to refer them to Marin County.  

“Most every county in the United States has a CERT program, but not Sonoma County,” Paxton said. “Everybody’s scared to death of a lawsuit, but as a result people are just not prepared.”  

The work-around  

Sebastopol is the currently the only city in Sonoma County that offers CERT. But many cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties run successful CERT programs and are sponsored by either the local police or fire department.    

The city gets around the liability issue by asking volunteers to join the Disaster Service Program, a state program that allows the city to tap into California’s workers compensation fund if someone is injured.  

Take El Cerrito and Kensington in Contra Costa, where the local fire department has trained more than 2,500 people since implementing CERT in 2004.  

“People sign the ‘hold harmless’ form that they won’t sue the city if they get hurt,” explained David Gibson, a battalion chief with the El Cerrito Fire Department.  

Following the completion of their 27-hour training, the program urges volunteers to become area coordinators for their neighborhoods, promoting the program at community events and meeting from time to time to refresh plans.  

“The idea is to have people more connected and engaged so they know what do when something happens,” Gibson said.  

So why can’t Petaluma do something similar?  

Patch asked the city’s Risk Manager Ron Blanquie who deferred to City Manager John Brown. Brown did not return two messages left for him.  

Christopher Helgren, the emergency manager for Sonoma County, understands the city’s fears of another lawsuit. But he agrees that having some sort of program in place is important in case of an emergency.  

“COPE is more grassroots and neighborhood driven, but it doesn’t require a local agency. But anyone who has gone through the CERT program has much greater odds of survivability. They become survivors, not victims and they can save lives, which is no small thing.”  

Paxton says he and several other volunteers are discussing about how to bring back CERT to Petaluma and other Sonoma cities.  
 “There’s ways to do it, we just have to figure it out,” he says. “There are solutions and we can overcome it.”
 
Do you think it’s important to revive CERT or another emergency preparedness program in Petaluma? What are you doing to be prepared?   

BE A SURVIVOR, NOT A STATISTIC
    
The first 72 hours after a disaster are critical. You should be prepared to be self-sufficient (able to live without running water, electricity and/or gas, telephones and assistance from safety services) for at least three days following a disaster. You should have three disaster packs, one for your home, work and car.  

Food
Enough for 72 hours, preferably one week, for every person in your family. Don't forget about food for your pets.

Water
Enough so each person has a gallon a day for 72 hours, preferably one week. Store in airtight containers and replace it every six months. Store disinfectants such as iodine tablets or chlorine bleach (eight drops per gallon) to purify water if necessary.  

First Aid Kit
Make sure it's well-stocked, especially with bandages and disinfectants.  

Fire Extinguisher
Your fire extinguisher should be suitable for all types of fires. Teach all family members how to use it. If you are not sure on how to use it, contact the Petaluma Fire Department.    

Flashlights with Extra Batteries
Keep flashlights beside your bed and in several other locations. DO NOT use matches or candles after an earthquake until you are certain there are no gas leaks. ·        

Portable Radio with Extra Batteries
Most telephones will be out of order or limited to emergency use. The radio will be your best source of information.

Extra Blankets, Clothing, Shoes and Money
Place extra blankets for warmth, change of clothing as well as a change of shoes in your disaster pack. The banks as well as the Automatic Teller Machines will not be operable. Keep some extra disaster money stashed in a safe place for emergency use only.

Alternate Cooking Source
Store a barbecue or camping stove for outdoor camping. CAUTION: Ensure there are no gas leaks before you use any kind of fire. Do not use charcoal indoors.

Special Items
Have at least one week's supply of medication and food for infants and those with special needs.

Tools
Have an adjustable or pipe wrench for turning off gas and water. Keep this tool either in disaster pack or near the gas and water turnoff valve.  

Source: Petaluma Fire Department

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit http://cityofpetaluma.net/firedept/disaster.html