ALERT - Aptos Local Emergency Response Training

 

Guidelines for Major Emergency and Disaster Readiness

January 2006

 

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office – Aptos Business Emergency Preparedness

 

In the event of flooding, fire, earthquake or any other natural disaster, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, has prepared a few tips to keep you and your business safe.

 

• Establish a safe means for keeping your documents and money safe during a natural disaster. Some ways to do this include:

-A small vault in your business where you can store money and

valuables. The vault should be resistant to water and fire.

-Maintaining an external computer hard-drive (100GB), to backup

important documents such as; financial records, employee lists, payroll,

rent or lease agreements, etc. The external hard-drive costs less than

$100.00 and can easily be removed from the business when evacuating.

 

• Establish a call safety system for employees if disaster permits calls

-Have employees call or check-in to an established phone number to

check in their status. This can be an SBC phone mail system that can be

checked by the business owner or designee to determine every employees

safety in the event some employees were present in the business during

natural disaster.

 

• Establish a check out list of employees names when evacuating a business

-Businesses should develop a list of employees names to be posted on the

business doors to inform Law Enforcement and Fire when employees

have evacuated the premises. The list will help insure that no persons

are trapped or injured in the business.

 

• In the event of looting after a natural disaster, always protect self before

property.

-Do not attempt to confront looters by threatening them with weapons or

attempting to restrain them. Immediately leave the premises and dial

• Your safety is more important!

 

• Establish a list of Emergency contact numbers for your employees to access

in the event of an emergency.

-The list of emergency phone numbers should consist of: Emergency

personnel, hospitals, PG&E, phone companies, poison control, hazardous

materials, environmental health, and business management.

 

• Always follow evacuation orders!

-Evacuation orders are for your safety. Do not ignore or attempt to go

back into a business after you have been asked to evacuate. By doing so,

you are putting your life and the lives of emergency personnel in danger.

 

• Have a disaster plan for your business and employees.

-If the business has several employees designate a safety officer to

coordinate planning and responses.

 

• Assign an alternate employee with keys and alarm codes in case of an

emergency.

-In the event the business owner can not make it to the business, it is

good to have an alternate employee have access to alarm codes and keys

to secure the business.

 

• Develop a plan for whether there will be continual business after an

emergency.

-If the business has had little damage after an emergency consider

whether the business will operate even if the roadways may be

impassable.

For more information on how you can be prepared in an emergency situation, call your local fire department or Sheriff's Service Center .

Aptos/La Selva Fire District 831-685-6690

Central Fire District 831-479-6842

California Department of Forestry 831-335-9113

Sheriff/Coroners Office 831-471-1121