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Press Conference and Demonstration of “OK/HELP”

October 15, 2012, 8 am, in Chatsworth, CA

Event Location:
10901 Delco Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311 (Map)

Event Contact:
Councilmember Englander, City of Los Angeles

Contact Person:
Matt Myerhoff, Matt.Myerhoff@lacity.org, 8182938962


Summary:
Councilmember Mitchell Englander, Chair of the Public
Safety Committee, Dr. Lucy Jones of the U.S. Geological Survey, LAFD
Chief Brian Cummings, and Chief Communications Officer Theresa
Corigliano of the American Red Cross will hold a press conference and
demonstration on Monday, Oct. 15 in advance of the Great ShakeOut to
launch "OK/HELP," a valuable tool to help citizens and first
responders in the immediate aftermath of a major earthquake.


Full Description:
Councilmember Mitchell Englander, Chair of the Public
Safety Committee, Dr. Lucy Jones of the U.S. Geological Survey, LAFD
Chief Brian Cummings, and Chief Communications Officer Theresa
Corigliano of the American Red Cross will hold a press conference and
demonstration on Monday, Oct. 15 in advance of the Great ShakeOut to
launch "OK/HELP," a valuable tool to help citizens and first
responders in the immediate aftermath of a major earthquake.

After the press conference, a group of Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) volunteers and LAFD Firefighters will demonstrate how to
use the OK/HELP sign. Several houses will have the sign up in their
windows. The CERT team will sweep the street, checking the status of
all of the houses. They will locate the house needing "HELP," will
radio the location to the Firefighters, and the Fire Engine respond
and render aid to the resident.

OK/HELP is a window sign with clear, simple instructions provided by
the Los Angeles Fire Department, American Red Cross, and the U.S.
Geological Survey on what to do immediately after a major earthquake.
It is meant to be kept by the front door of a home. After a major
earthquake, the user tears off the sign and posts it in their front
window indicating to emergency personnel or neighbors if they are "OK"
or need "HELP."

The launch of OK/HELP is part of the broader message about the
partnership between emergency planners, responders, the Red Cross, and
the community in preparation, response and recovery from a major
earthquake. After a major earthquake, the Fire Department will only be
able to respond to the most urgent cases, so volunteer members of the
LAFD’s CERT program will play an essential role. The free CERT
training program teaches community members how to render first aid,
conduct basic search and rescue and assist first responders after a
disaster.

In advance of an earthquake, you can download the American Red Cross
Earthquake App. Following an earthquake, just tap the "I'm Safe"
button and it will post a message on all your social media networks
letting friends and loved ones know you are safe. If you have no
Internet access on a computer or smart phone after an earthquake, Red
Cross staff or volunteers at your local Red Cross shelter can help you
try to establish contact. They often establish networks among
different shelters to help people find loved ones.




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