The City of Burbank joins with the rest of America during this time of war.  As a help to our citizens, the City offers this page of suggestions for preparedness. 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross recommend the following actions you can take to be prepared. 

Make a plan.
Talk with your family. Commit a weekend to update phone numbers, disaster supplies and review your plan with everyone.

Build a kit.
Your household should have a disaster supplies kit to ensure the comfort and safety of your entire family for 3 full days.  Build a Disaster Supplies Kit to take with you in an evacuation. You may already have one assembled if you have an earthquake emergency kit for your home.  The basics you should stock in your portable kit include: water, food, first aid supplies, a change of clothing and blanket or sleeping bag, emergency tools (like flashlights, radio, batteries), and special items for infants, elderly or disabled. Keep these items in an easy-to carry container-such as a covered trash container, a large backpack, or a duffle bag.

Be informed/get trained.
Learn about the possible threats and how to protect yourself.  Every family should have at least one person trained in First Aid and CPR.

As always, in case of an emergency, tune in for local response information to the following Burbank media:

TV:        BurbankTV6, channel 6 on Charter Cable (it's on channel 16 in Glendale).

Radio:   1620, Burbank's radio station for local emergency information, on your AM dial.

Phone:  1-800-994-BURB  (1-800-994-2872) a Burbank Disaster Information Hotline.


Chemical or Airborne Hazards

When there is concern about a potential exposure to a chemical or other airborne hazard, local officials will advise you to "shelter-in-place." This is unrelated to taking shelter on the lowest level of your home in case of a natural disaster like a tornado. To shelter-in-place:

  1. Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
  2. Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
  3. Close the fireplace damper.
  4. Get your disaster supplies kit and make sure the radio is working.
  5. Go to an interior room without windows that is above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
  6. Using duct tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
  7. Listen to your radio or television for further instructions. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

Here are some links to other websites offering information about emergency preparedness.

LA County -- 10 steps for Terrorism Preparedness

U.S. Department of Homeland Security -- Ready.gov

American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles--Together We Prepare LA

Red Cross--Homeland Security Advisory System Recommendations

California Office of Emergency Services

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)--Operation Liberty Shield

Are You Ready?--A Guide to Citizen Preparedness (FEMA)

We are a country of freedoms. 

And we stand together with our fellow Americans

in the belief that Good will Prevail.

 

March 2003