Emergency Preparedness Resources

Set spiritual & temporal preparedness as a priority.  "YOU are your OWN first response." The following are some suggestions of where you could start...  1. Email sylmarhsc@gmail.com and ask them to add you to their newsletter mailing list.  2. Fill out "Ward Emergency Inventory Survey" ASAP and send info to castaicprep@gmail.com. 3. Create or update your 72-hr kit and car emergency kit. Include items for warmth. 4. Secure items in your home. Strap down your water heater. Secure breakable & glass items. Find a way to lock cabinets. Secure bookcases and large furniture pieces so they won't fall over. Put closed-toe shoes next to your bed. Make sure you have the tools accessible that you'd need to shut off utilities. Locate where utility shut offs are located.  5. Study content in the emergency prep binder to know how to react to various emergencies.  6. Gather, organize and secure your important documents/valuables. Make sure you have proper insurance

In addition to reviewing the following materials, it would be wise to take photographs of your home, inside and out, to document your valuables for insurance purposes. Then you will be able to reference those photos in case of theft or damage from natural or manmade disasters.  As for important documents, it is best to keep them in a safe place, ideally in an actual locked safe of some kind. As an example, we use this fire and water resistant file to keep our important documents organized and portable in case we have to evacuate. We found it on amazon at this link . (click on the word "link") https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/fema_safeguard-critical-documents-and-valuables.pdf https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/ready_document-and-insure-your-property.pdf

As of January 2021, below are the most up-to-date flyers from the Sylmar Home Storage Center. Their business hours vary and often change so it is best to sign-up for their newsletter or call to make sure they're open when you plan your trip.  As of January 2021, the Home Storage Center Hours are:  Tues/Sat 9am-11am, Thur. 3pm-5pm Email sylmarhsc@gmail.com and ask to be added to their email list.  They share very useful information regarding products, sales, how to store & cook food storage, virtual classes, recipes, etc. as well as important information regarding when they are open and what they do or don't have in stock.  Check out the following links for additional food storage and preparedness information: https://providentliving.churchofjesuschrist.org/food-storage?lang=eng https://pleasanthillgrain.com/preparedness https://www.sosproducts.com/ https://mountainhouse.com/ Below is an example of an order form from the Home Storage Center for January 2021. You can find ord

  Please see additional links for valuable information/resources: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/effak_Toolkit_20190904.pdf https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness https://www.usa.gov/flec https://providentliving.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/family-finances?lang=eng

   Additional Links: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/children.pdf

  We will selectively be adding more content to this section in the future. 

     This section is where a lot of time should be spent researching and reflecting on the specific emergencies you may be at risk of experiencing in your area and then most importantly taking direct ACTIONS to become more prepared for those scenarios. Research and accumulating knowledge don't do us much good if we don't take meaningful action based on that knowledge.       What are your potential risks? What can you do to be more prepared in those areas? Where are your gas, electric and water shut offs? When are you supposed to shut off utilities? When is it not safe to light candles? When and where should you evacuate? How can you better secure your home? Etc...         The following booklet is a great resource from FEMA that can be found at this link:  https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/are-you-ready-guide.pdf Additional Hazard Info Sheets can be found at this link: https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/ready_full-suite_hazard-info-sheets.pdf Here

      This tab has suggestions for ways to baby step your way into becoming more prepared. We will continue to add content to this section but this is enough to get started with. Most importantly, pray for guidance and follow your feelings regarding what steps YOU should take based on YOUR personal circumstances. Please note the posted flyers that describe the wonderful monthly food storage program that the Sylmar Home Storage Center has organized. It is an easy and relatively affordable way to get started with building your food storage supply. Email sylmarhsc@gmail.com and ask to be added to their mailing list for very useful monthly emails.   

  Additional links: https://www.ready.gov/alerts https://lacounty.gov/emergency/alert-la/ https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/ready_know-your-alerts-and-warnings.pdf https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/create-your-family-emergency-communication-plan.pdf https://www.caloes.ca.gov/cal-oes-divisions/warning-center/california-state-warning-plan/emergency-alert-system http://www.calalerts.org/