Soboba Fire Department

What is my shelter plan?

Large incidents may require sheltering in your home, as your best means of protection. The length of time required may vary, and it is important you have food and water supplies to help you and your family get by. Sheltering in your home may be necessary for a pandemic, or release of a hazardous material. There may be three types of sheltering including: stay at home, mass care shelter, and sheltering in place.

What is my evacuation route?

Many types of emergencies may require evacuation, some with ample warning and others with no warning. It is important for your family to plan where you will go if you have to evacuate. Depending on the type of disaster, one escape route may be compromised. A strong family plan will identify several possible escape routes. Prepare to take a Go Bag with you.

What is my family/household communication plan?

A major emergency may happen when you are not with your family. For example, adults may be at work and children at school, and it may not be possible to reach each other. We would want to know if they are ok and how we can meet them. Communication networks may be disrupted during a disaster and planning in advance will help ensure all members of your household including children and people with special needs know how to reach each other. Write down, phone numbers and addresses and share the information with each other including a relative or friend that does not live nearby and likely wouldn’t be impacted by a disaster near you. Meeting places should also be kept in mind. It is important to pick 3 places for your family to meet, such as right outside of your home, a location in your neighborhood, and a location outside of your neighborhood.

When disasters happen quickly, you may not have time to pack. Prepare a go bag with items that are most important to you. You may store this go bag in your car or in your home. In addition to the go bag, keeping a stay bag or box is equally as important.

• Documents (ID, passport, insurance)
• Cash
• Map
• Medication
• Your communications list
• Small first aid kit
• Flashlight
• Portable Radio
• Portable Computer
• Bottled water
• Radio
• Extra batteries
• Pocketknife
• Clothes
• Toilet paper
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Hygiene products
• Map
• Dust mask
• Portable cell chargers
• Waterproof container
• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes
• Pet food or supplies
• Sleeping bag, blanket, pillow
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches
• Backup Generator
• Utensils, plates
• Activities for children

For more information visit: Build A Kit | Ready.gov

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can cause fires and landslides.

Before an earthquake, secure your home by bolting tall furniture, securing loose objects, and making sure you know how to turn off utilities.

Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with your family and coworkers.

Using a walker or a wheelchair? Lock, Cover, and Hold On!

If an earthquake happens, protect yourself right away:

• If you are in a car, pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
• If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
• If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings.
• If you are inside, stay and do not run outside and avoid doorways.

After an earthquake, there can be serious hazards such as leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines. Expect aftershocks! Check your area and leave damaged buildings.

For more information visit:
What can I do to be prepared for an earthquake? | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

While fires are important to maintaining diverse and healthy ecosystems, good for cooking, and campfires, fires under specific conditions can become dangerous. Wildfires are unplanned fires that burn in natural areas like forests, grasslands or prairies. These dangerous fires spread quickly and can devastate not only wildfire and natural areas, but also communities.

Plan, Prepare, and Stay Aware

• Subscribe to Soboba Emergency Alerts.
• Ensure all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.
• Teach household members, STOP, DROP, and ROLL if their clothes catch on fire.
• Create an Evacuation Checklist.
• Create an Emergency Evacuation Bag.
• If trapped, call 911.

Prepare your home:

• Make sure your home is properly equipped with smoke detectors and alarms.
• Set up a fire-resistant zone that is free of leaves, debris or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home.
• Equip your home with a fire extinguisher.
• Check electrical wiring in your home.
• Store combustible materials in open areas away from heat sources.

For more information visit: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/

Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Floods may result from: rain, snow, overflows from damns. They may develop slowly or quickly causing power outages, damaging buildings, or creating landslides.

If under a flood warning

• Find safe shelter right away.
• Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around!
• Stay off bridges and fast-moving water.
• Depending on the type of flooding you may be asked to: evacuate, move to higher ground, or stay where you are.

If you become trapped while in your vehicle, stay inside the car. If water begins rising, get on the roof. If you become trapped in a building, get to the highest level and only get on the roof if necessary to signal for help.

Words to Know

Flood Watch:

A message that flooding is possible and to listen to local radio or TV news and weather for more information. You may receive an alert on a cell phone.

Flood Warning:

A message that flooding will occur soon, if it hasn't already, and to move to higher ground or evacuate immediately.

Flash Flood:

A flood that can happen within minutes or hours of heavy rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or drains overflowing.

For more information visit: Flood Safety Tips and Resources (weather.gov)

Extended power outages may impact the whole community and the economy. A power outage is when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly.

A power outage may:

• Disrupt communications, water and transportation.
• Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks and other services.
• Cause food spoilage and water contamination.
• Prevent use of medical devices.

When an unexpected blackout or public safety power shutoff (PSPS) occurs, here are some tips to help you prepare, stay online and lessen the impact until the lights come on.

• Make alternate plans such as going to a location with power.
• Use a generator (but only outdoors and away from windows).
• Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
• Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage form electrical surges.
• Keep refrigerators closed, and have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines using power dependent medical devices.
• Check for heating and cooling locations.
• Take inventory of items that use electricity and purchase backups including batteries portable chargers and flashlights.

Generator Safety Usage

Using a generator incorrectly can cause monoxide poisoning form engine exhaust. If you smell fumes you may be exposed to carbon monoxide. Consider installing battery operated carbon monoxide alarms. Using generators incorrectly may also cause electrocution or fires. For safety and effectiveness when using your generator:

• Position generators outdoors and well away from any structure
• Keep the generator dry
• Disconnect the power coming in before you use generator
• Make sure generator is properly grounded
• Plug equipment directly into the generator
• Do not plug the generator into a wall outlet
• Maintain adequate supply of fuel
• Turn of the generator and let it cool before refueling
• Inspect and maintain your generator supply regularly

For More information Visit: https://www.sce.com/safety/family/emergency-tips

Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable. Despite this fact, more than 600 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year.

Tips for Preventing Heat Related Illness: Stay Cool, Stay Hydrated, and Stay Informed

• Wear appropriate clothing
• Stay Cool Indoors
• Limit Outdoor Activity to when it’s coolest
• Pace yourself
• Wear Sunscreen
• Do NOT leave children in cars
• Drink plenty of fluids - replace salts and minerals, and stay away from very sugary drinks
• Stay informed. Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

For more information visit: Extreme Heat | Natural Disasters and Severe Weather | CDC