Types of Emergencies

This information has been gathered from government sources and emergency disaster organizations to help CALA members prepare for potential disaster situations. To find out what specific hazards could commonly be expected at your location, visit CalOES MyHazards and enter your community’s address into the search bar. Another best practice for preparing for likely emergencies is to use a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment tool, which helps identify potential hazards for a community, the likelihood of occurrence, and the potential severity of the identified hazard. Kaiser Permanente has developed a tool used broadly by hospitals and long-term care providers. The tool is available here (please credit Kaiser if used), and the instruction sheet is available here. 

Active Shooter/Intruder

Visit these websites to learn what to do if you find yourself in an active shooting event, how to recognize signs of potential violence around you, and what to expect after an active shooting takes place.

• Ready.gov: Active Shooter
• Department of Homeland Security: Active Shooter Preparedness
• Willis Towers Watson: Active shooter/armed intruder response and training for senior living communities

Bomb Threat/Suspicious Object Located/Bomb Search

Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Bomb Threat webpage to learn what to do if a suspicious object is found or you receive a bomb threat. This resource includes check lists, training videos, and guidance for community owners, operators, and managers.

Earthquake

Visit these websites to learn what to do in the event of an earthquake and what you can do to prepare:

• Earthquake Warning California
• Ready.gov: Earthquakes
• American Red Cross: Earthquake Safety
• OSHA: Earthquake Preparedness and Response

Electrical/Gas Outage

Click here for tips from CALA members on Planned Safety Power Outages. Visit these websites for basic safety tips and what to do before, during, and after a power outage:

• Ready.gov: Power Outages
• American Red Cross: Power Outage Safety
• Prepare for Power Down: Public Safety Power Shutoff

Explosions

Visit Ready.gov’s Explosions webpage for steps you can take to prepare for this type of emergency.

Flood (Internal/External)

Visit these websites to learn what to do in the event of a flood:

• Ready.gov: Floods
• American Red Cross: Flood Safety
• OSHA: Flood Preparedness and Response

Extreme Heat

Visit these websites to learn how to stay safe during extreme heat and how to treat heat-related illnesses:

• Ready.gov: Extreme Heat
• American Red Cross: Heat Wave Safety
• Community Care Licensing Division’s (CCLD) Heat Prevention

Home Fire

Visit these websites to learn what to do in the event of a home/community fire:

• Ready.gov: Home Fires
• American Red Cross: Home Fire Safety

Landslides

Visit these websites to learn what to do in the event of a landslide:

• Ready.gov: Landslides & Debris Flow
• American Red Cross: Landslide Safety

Terrorism

Visit the American Red Cross’s Terrorism Safety Tips webpage to learn what you can do to prepare for terrorist attacks and reduce the stress that you may feel now and later should an emergency arise.

Tornado

Visit these websites to learn what to do in the event of a tornado:

• Ready.gov: Tornadoes
• American Red Cross: Tornado Safety
• OSHA: Tornado Preparedness and Response

Tsunami

Visit these websites to learn what to do in the event of a tsunami:

• Ready.gov: Tsunamis
• American Red Cross: Tsunami Preparedness
• U.S. Tsunami Warning System

Water Outage

Prepare yourself for a water outage by building a supply of water that will meet your community’s needs during an emergency and visit these websites for more info:

• Ready.gov: Water
• FEMA: Emergency Supply List

Wildfires

Visit these websites to learn what to do in the event of a wildfire:

• Ready.gov: Wildfires
• American Red Cross: Wildfire Safety
• OSHA: Wildfires

Winter Storm

Visit these websites to learn what to do in the event of a winter storm:

• Ready.gov: Snowstorms & Extreme Cold
• American Red Cross: Winter Storm Safety