The onset of the fire season on the Central Coast is a reminder that everyone should be prepared for a disaster. This issue provides information about resources for seniors on the Central Coast for:
- Getting early warning and ongoing information on local and statewide disasters
- Tips and resources for being prepared for a disaster
A disaster by its very nature is unpredictable and disruptive, but taking the precautions suggested by the resources on this page can help limit the impact on older adults and those with disabilities.
Getting Information on Disasters:
There are several resources available to provide warnings and information on disasters:
Reverse 911– Sheriff’s Office dispatch facility has the capacity to inform the public directly by sending a phone message to each land line phone in the county to inform persons of evacuation orders, missing persons, Amber Alerts, etc. Those residents who have only a cell phone or would like to be notified by cell phone may also sign up on the Sheriff’s website: San Luis Obispo County or Santa Barbara County
American Red Cross – At the agency’s website people can sign up to receive email disaster alerts and other helpful updates.
Diablo Canyon Warning Siren-San Luis Obispo County’s Early Warning System Sirens would sound to alert area residents and visitors to tune to a local radio or television station for information. The sirens alert you that an emergency is taking place within the County and possibly at Diablo Canyon Power Plant. There are 131 sirens located in Protective Action Zones 1 through 12, stretching from Cayucos in the north to Nipomo Mesa in the south.
Radio Ready System- Disaster alerts and information available through radio stations that can continue to broadcast during a power outage. It is recommended that every household should have a hand-crank or battery-operated radio incase of an emergency. Don’t forget to include extra batteries in your emergency kit! In an emergency the regular transmission will be interrupted to broadcast important information like evacuation orders, shelter instructions, and more. Below is a list of radio stations participating in the Radio Ready program for Santa Barbara County:
FM Stations
88.3 KCLU NPR (South Coast)
89.7 KCLU NPR (Santa Maria)
90.9 KCBX (Santa Ynez Valley)
92.1 KCLU NPR (Santa Maria)
94.1 KOSJ (South Coast)
94.5 KSPE SPANISH (Countywide)
95.1 KCBX (Lompoc)
96.7 (Santa Ynez Valley/Solvang)
99.5 KCBX (Santa Maria)
99.9 KTYD (South Coast)
101.7 KLITE/KSBL (South Coast and Santa Ynez)
102.3 KCLU NPR (South Coast)
105.9 KRAZ (Santa Ynez/Solvang)
107.77 KIST SPANISH (Countywide)
AM Stations
990 KTMA (Santa Maria)
1440 KUHL (Santa Maria)
1490 KOSJ (South Coast)
1290 KZSB (South Coast)
1340 KCLU NPR (South Coast)
National Weather Service– Emergency alert radio signals are provided by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS). These radio signals are not accessible over AM/FM radios but are received by NOAA weather radios. Weather alert radios can be used to alert the public of other serious emergencies, not just weather events.
Tips and Tools for Being Prepared:
Disaster Prep Guide- The Area Agency on Aging has produced an Emergency Survival guide to prepare seniors and their loved ones for a disaster. The guide includes:
- Tips Preparation checklist
- Local contacts for disaster response
A copy of the guide is in every copy of the Senior Resource Directory and Senior Information Guide. You can also view it online here: Emergency Survival Guide
Ready.gov has information on making a disaster plan, building an emergency kit and more.
The Vial of Life™ is a way for you to have your vital health information available to first responders. The Vial of Life™ containers can be placed on your refrigerator and contain a medical information card (click here to download a copy ) inside that can list prescriptions, medical conditions, allergies and other information important to your health care. Local first responders are trained to look for the Vial of Life™ when responding to an emergency. The Vial of Life™ containers are available free at local senior centers and the Area Agency on Aging office in Santa Maria.
