Laurel Neighborhood News

by John Frando and Kathleen Rolinson

Earthquake Shaking Hazard Maps

Laurel residents concerned about the predicted severity of a major earthquake on the Hayward fault, which partially lies under Highway 13, can view earthquake shaking hazard maps on the Association of Bay Area Governments Web site, at www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/eqmaps/pickcity.html. Specify "Oakland-East" and the "South Hayward" or "North + South Hayward" faults.

Under the scenario of an earthquake of 6.7 magnitude on the Southern Hayward fault, all of the Laurel District would experience violent or very violent shaking, as measured by the modified Mercalli intensity scale, which predicts shaking intensity and the effects on structures. In areas of violent shaking, expect "general panic, frame structures, if not bolted, shifted off foundations, underground pipes broken, and conspicuous cracks in ground." In areas of very violent shaking, expect "most masonry and frame structures destroyed with their foundations, and large landslides."

Emergency Preparedness Forum

The Fire Department CORE Program (Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies) held a September 10 community forum at Councilmember Quan's Laurel office to discuss local levels of emergency preparedness in light of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast states. One observation was that local professional emergency responders will be overwhelmed, and residents should be prepared to be "on their own" for some time after a widespread disaster.

CORE offers residents three levels of emergency preparedness training CORE I, Home and Family Preparedness; CORE II, Neighborhood Preparedness and Response; and CORE III, Emergency Response Hands-On Training. CORE offers classes from September through November. See www.oaklandcore.org, or call the CORE office at 238-6351.

First responders to emergencies after a widespread disaster will be residents and their neighbors. CORE training encourages neighborhood networks of prepared citizens to help each other until professional help arrives. And it might be up to a week before help arrives. The program seeks CORE block captains in every neighborhood.

Update School Emergency Cards

When students begin the school year at Oakland public schools, parents, guardians, and caretakers are legally required to complete an emergency card and indicate the names and phone numbers of adults to whom the school is authorized to release students in the aftermath of a major disaster or emergency. Schools will release young children only to adults named on the child's emergency card, and schools will not release unescorted children.

Reginald Crowell, Risk Management Officer to the school district, advises parents to (1) ensure that information on a student's emergency card is always complete and current; (2) listen for school advisories on KCBS, 740 AM, or Oakland's emergency broadcast radio, 530 AM; (3) resist the urge to rush to the school without carefully assessing the safety of coming to the school to retrieve their children; and (4) give the school a one-gallon ziplock bag, labeled with the child's name and containing a nonsugared drink, fruit roll-ups, nonsweetened or salted, packaged snack, and a fold-up blanket.

Mr. Crowell said that schools are a safe haven for students. They hold emergency drills, and principals and designated campus personnel receive emergency-preparedness training.

Parents should contact their school principal now to discuss emergency planning.

John Frando can be reached at jfrando\@gmail.com. Kathleen Rolinson can be reached at krolinson\@gmail.com.