TEMECULA: Disaster preparedness advice from Temecula’s Office of Public Safety

August 31, 2017 Trevor Montgomery

Temecula’s Office of Public Safety has provided a number of established and proven ideas for their citizens to maintain a constant state of preparedness for themselves and their families to be ready for any potential disaster.

SEE RELATED: TEMECULA: In Hurricane Harvey’s wake, Temecula Citizen Corps advocates personal preparedness

Ready.gov – Prepare, Plan, Stay Informed

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A well-prepared and fully stocked emergency preparedness kit is an integral part of being prepared for any emergency.

It’s a good idea to have:

14 day supply of non-perishable food.
14 day supply of water – one gallon per person per day (1/2 gallon per pet per day).
Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
First aid kit and manual.
Sanitation and hygiene items (Moist towelettes and toilet paper).
Fire Extinguisher.
Adjustable wrench for turning off gas and water.
Matches and waterproof container.
Extra clothing.
Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a non-electric can opener.
Portable stove such as butane or charcoal. Note: Use of stoves should not take place until it is determined that there is no gas leak in the area. Charcoal should only be burned outdoors—use indoors will lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
HAM Radio, if available, great for communication when lines are down. (For information on receiving HAM radio license (Click here)

Keep canned food in a dry place where the temperature is cool.
Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect from pests and to extend its shelf life.
Throw out any canned good that becomes swollen, dented or corroded.
Use foods before they go bad and replace them with fresh supplies.
Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in front.
Change stored food and water supplies every six months. Be sure to write the date you store it on all containers.
Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as an unused trash can, camping backpack, or duffel bag.
Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your families needs change.

Make sure to have some supplies set aside for your pets as well. Remember there may not be supplies available for your pets in an emergency. Here are some items to keep in or near your pack:

A well-stocked pet emergency preparedness kit is an essential part of any person’s efforts to be prepared for any emergency.

Pet first-aid kit and guide-book (ask your vet what to include)
3-7 days’ worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food (be sure to rotate every two months) Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are perfect)
Litter or paper towelling
Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
Pet feeding dishes
Extra collar or harness as well as an extra leash
Photocopies of medical records and a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires (Remember, food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit—otherwise they may go bad or become useless.)
Bottled water, at least 7 days’ worth for each pet (store in a cool, dry place and replace every two months)
A traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet
Blanket (for scooping up a fearful pet)
Recent photos of your pets (in case you are separated and need to make “Lost” posters)
Especially for cats: Pillowcase or EvackSack, toys, scoopable litter
Especially for dogs: Extra leash, toys and chew toys, a week’s worth of cage liner.

Disaster Resistant Communities Group Video Library

An assortment of various short preparedness videos available online and free.

Temecula Citizen Corps

In 2003, the City of Temecula formed the Temecula Citizen Corps (TCC) to educate and train local residents to contribute to the community’s well-being.

Building on the successful efforts already in place in many communities around the country, designed and intended to “prevent crime and respond to emergencies,” Citizen Corps programs continuously strive to “make Temecula safer” through various forms of training, education, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery.

Anyone interested in becoming a part of the TCC team and taking a more pro-active position in local disaster preparedness; that allows you to help your neighbors in the event of an emergency, receive free additional training in First Aid, CPR, AED and more, the TCC meets every first and third Tuesday of the month at the Field Operations Center – across the driveway from Old City Hall – at 43230 Business Park Drive in Temecula.

There is no cost to attend or obligation to join and all are welcome.

To join, complete the membership application package and bring it along to one of TCC’s business meetings or training meetings, or those interested can mail their application in.

For more information, visit TCC’s website or can contact the the TCC directly via email.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 13 – soon to be 14 – grandchildren.