On Valentine’s Day, Monday, Feb. 14, first responders from Kern, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties were invited to lunch and a brainstorm with the Mountain Memories Association. The focus was on emergency preparedness needs in the Mountain Communities.

Here’s the Valentine’s message from firefighters and sheriffs’ deputies: “Preparedness starts at home. Families need to prepare now. In the event of a major catastrophic event, we may not be able to get to you for 72 hours, maybe longer.”

They reminded the group that a major earthquake has been predicted, and that the Garlock and San Andreas faults run through these communities. Roads, telephones, cell towers and other utilities to the mountain communities could be cut off, they said, urging strongly that Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) be assembled for the communities of Cuddy Valley, Frazier Park, Lockwood Valley, Lake of the Woods and Lebec (Pine Mountain has a CERT in place). To volunteer, call Mountain Memories at 661-431-8260.

Families need emergency provisions, including water, food, extra prescription medicine, pet food, batteries, soap and basic first aid supplies to last at least two weeks.

The event was held at Holiday Inn Express, catered by Los Piños Restaurant. —P. Hedlund

This is part of the February 18, 2011 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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