Frequently Asked Questions
The City of Santa Barbara Office of Emergency Services is actively coordinating the City's response to disasters as well as assisting residents to prepare for major events such as earthquakes, floods, hazardous material spills, plane crashes, train derailments, Africanized honey bees, and civil unrest.
1) What is an EOC?
2) Where is the EOC located?
3) Is there someone who can make a presentation to my group or organization?
4) Does the City have a disaster plan?
5) What is disaster preparedness?
6) What types of disaster occur in the Santa Barbara area?
7) How many people work in OES? What kind of training do they receive?
8) What do you do when there is no emergency?
9) Where are the nearest bomb and fallout shelters?
10) What do you mean by “Shelter-In-Place?”
11) Should I buy a gas mask?
12) Should I start storing food, water, medical supplies, clothing, etc.?
13) What is the City of Santa Barbara doing about terrorist attacks?
14) Will the City take care of its residents in the event of a disaster?
15) Where can I obtain emergency preparedness information?
16) What can I do to prepare for an earthquake?
17) If residents were asked to evacuate, where do we go?
1) What is an EOC?
The Emergency Operation Center (EOC) is a secure facility where City department heads are able to work in the event of a large disaster. The EOC allows for City departments to work closely together to support the incident and make recovery more efficient for the community.
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2) Where is the EOC located?
The EOC is located in the basement of the downtown Police Department located at 215 East Figueroa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA.
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3) Is there someone who can make a presentation to my group or organization?
Yes. The Public Education Coordinator and Emergency Manager are available to provide presentations on many topics at no charge to the group or organization. Presentations include earthquake preparedness, floods, and terrorism.
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4) Does the City have a disaster plan?
Yes. The City is required by state and federal regulation to have a response and recovery plan. This plan covers everything from earthquakes and plane crashes to fires and flooding. This plan is maintained by the Emergency Manager and is continuously updated. A major update of the plan is done every five years. The newly revised plan will be available to view at the City’s Main Library, Reference Section and on our website in 2008.
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5) What is disaster preparedness?
Disaster preparedness is the means of preparing for a disaster before it happens. Some ways of preparing would be storage of food, water, and medicine in the event you had to be on your own for three days, and up to five days in a worse case scenario, planning escape routes, and setting up out of area contacts. These are just a few of the things you can do. Check out our websites helpful links.
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6) What types of disaster occur in the Santa Barbara area?
The City of Santa Barbara is most vulnerable to floods, fires and earthquakes. Also Tsunamis, droughts, winds, Africanized honey bees, and situations such as civil unrest, terrorism and energy shortages to name a few.
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7) How many people work in OES? What kind of training do they receive?
The EOC has two full-time paid staff. The EOC Manager receives extensive training through State and Federal classes. The EOC Manager is required to maintain certification for the position and must attend disaster related classes throughout the year.
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8) What do you do when there is no emergency?
EOC staff is responsible for maintaining the readiness of the City for all emergencies. Plans, presentations and training are done on a continuous basis. The EOC plans yearly exercises for the fire, police, and other city staff.
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9) Where are the nearest bomb and fallout shelters?
Bomb and fallout shelters were the direct result of a fear of nuclear war in the 1950’s and 60’s. With the decline of the “Cold War” the need for these shelters has disappeared. The City has developed extensive emergency plans and resources to ensure a coordinated response to any disaster, including a terrorist event. The best thing to do is listen to the radio or television for any information such as the location of any shelter, if established, or the need to “shelter-in-place.”
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10) What do you mean by “Shelter-In-Place?”
“Shelter-in-place” is intended to keep you safe while remaining indoors. For other natural disasters you may be directed by local officials to go to a community shelter for safety purposes. However, the intent of a “shelter-in-place” means selecting a small, interior room, with no or few windows and taking refuge there.
An above ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed. Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, copy and conference rooms without exterior windows work well. Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room. There is no need to seal off your entire home or office with duct tape and plastic sheeting.
It is important to remember that instructions to “shelter-in-place” mean shelter for a few hours, not days or weeks. There is little danger that the room in which you are taking shelter will run out of oxygen and you will suffocate. Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe.
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11) Should I buy a gas mask?
Biological and radiological agents, which are airborne, are vapors, not gasses – so there’s no need for a gas mask. Vapors immediately begin to dissipate once they are released. When you leave an area, the risk of being affected by a vapor diminishes. Gas masks were developed for soldiers who have to remain in a specific area - that’s the big difference. You can leave an area and always leave the risk.
Chemical gasses need to be delivered in large quantities in order to kill or cause injuries. If you smell a vapor or gas, remember to stay calm. If you panic you have a tendency to breathe faster and you will breathe more of the biological, radiological or chemical agent. Listen to local radio and television broadcasts for information if an airborne attack occurs.
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12) Should I start storing food, water, medical supplies, clothing, etc.?
It makes good sense to store food, water and medical supplies as well as duct tape and plastic sheeting. Natural disasters can occur at any time, and the City encourages you to do all you can to be prepared for all types of hazards. Why not be ready?
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13) What is the City of Santa Barbara doing about terrorist attacks?
The City is involved with the County Operational Area Terrorism Working Group, which is a multi-jurisdictional group, whose responsibilities are to develop terrorism emergency response plans and training. The Police Department continually assesses threats to determine if they are credible. The City has been very pro-active in its terrorist planning.
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14) Will the City take care of its residents in the event of a disaster?
City resources will most likely be overwhelmed following a disaster. Residents are encouraged to stock auxiliary supplies, prepare a family plan, and be prepared to be on their own for at least 72 hours and up to five (5) days following a disaster or significant event.
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15) Where can I obtain emergency preparedness information?
Preparedness literature is available at the Main Fire Station, 121 West Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Information is also available at the following websites:
· American Red Cross
http://www.sbredcross.org/ 
· California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
http://www.oes.ca.gov/ 
· United States Department of Homeland Security
http://www.dhs.gov/ 
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16) What can I do to prepare for an earthquake?
Identify potential hazards in your home and begin to fix them. Identify your building's potential weaknesses and begin to fix them. Create a disaster plan and disaster supply kits. For more information, visit http://www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/ 
.
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17) If residents were asked to evacuate, where do we go?
In the event of an evacuation order, the City will activate an Evacuation Center/Emergency shelter, with assistance from the County Operational Area and the Red Cross, where residents can receive information and emergency services. City facilities and public schools have been pre-identified as potential sites and will be activated according to the size and location of the emergency evacuation.
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