by Kevin Cody
After the recent Pacific Palisades and Altadena fires, “Real Time with Bill Maher” told viewers what every family should have in its emergency go-bag.
“My favorite item on that list,” satirist Maher quipped, “is an AM radio. The people who do the work in LA will need a Spanish language station.”
Hermosa Beach Emergency Management Coordinator Maurice “Mo” Wright agreed with Maher on the importance of an AM radio, but for a different reason.
“If the power goes out, you’ll need a battery-powered radio to stay informed,” Wright said in a recent interview.
Another broader lesson from the recent fires, Wright said, is the importance of having two emergency go-bags. One is for the house if shelter-in-place orders are given because of disasters such as a pandemic, or severe weather resulting in high winds, heavy rain or extreme heat.
Wright said shelter-in-place supplies should be sufficient for four days for each member of the household. Four days is the worst case scenario for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to reach disaster victims, he explained.
The second emergency go-bag is for the car in the event quick evacuation is required because of a fire, earthquake, or tsunami.
Hermosa hasn’t had a serious quake in over 20 years, and has never had a tsunami. But the Beach Cities are 26 times more likely to have a quake than elsewhere in the country, and the length of Hermosa, from The Strand to Hermosa Avenue, is a Tsunami Inundation Zone, as signs downtown remind residents.
Los Angeles County does not have a tsunami early warning system, but residents can expect a three to 10 minute warning through AlertSouthBay.com. A tsunami siren system is on the Hermosa capital improvements list, but is not yet scheduled for implementation.
Emergency go-bag essentials, Wright said, include water (a gallon a day per person), food, flashlights, water proof matches or lighters, and a multi-function tool, such as a Swiss Army knife.
And don’t overlook pet food, and toys to keep kids entertained, Wright said.
A car emergency go-bag is important because during an evacuation, there may not be time to grab bulky essentials such as water, and warm clothing, Wright said.
In an emergency, cash is king, Wright pointed out, because if the power is out credit card readers won’t work. He recommended small bills.
Medical prescriptions, glasses, important documents and other items residents want to take from their homes during an evacuation should be easy to grab. Make sure the safe is easy to open, he said.
Emergency go-bags needn’t be expensive. The emergency go-bags he bought his mother cost $120, but adequate go-bags are available for $40.
In addition to go-bags, residents should have an evacuation plan that includes two meeting place options for family members. The city does not specify public evacuation locations in advance of disasters because it can’t know in advance what sites will be safe, he said.
Wright joined the city as its emergency management coordinator a year ago. He served in similar positions previously at Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital, and MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center.
The 6-foot-8 coordinator compares his job to his first passion, which is basketball.
“I love basketball. I played in high school and college, and then in Canada and with a traveling team in Mexico. Basketball taught me you can have a talented team that loses and a not so talented team that wins. The difference is teamwork. Everybody on the team has to do their job, and be prepared to help everyone else on the team do their jobs,” he said.
The best way for residents to help one another during an emergency is for themselves to be prepared, he said.
To teach the team their roles, Wright said, he’s held a resident’s symposium, met with school officials, and business owners, and last month gave a presentation on Emergency Preparedness to the city council.
Residents can sign up for emergency alerts at AlertSouthBay.com., or by texting “AlertSB” to 888-777.
For an Emergency Supply List and other Emergency Preparedness Information, go to Hermosabeach.gov/our-government/city-manager/emergency-preparedness. ER