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18 <br />18 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> More shelters desired on the Coastside and more than one Red Cross shelter needed on the <br />South Coast. <br /> Promote shelter-in-place preparedness where access to shelters is limited <br /> Develop outdoor shelter locations where shelter access is limited such as on the Coast (golf <br />course, the farm fields, parking lots). <br />Preparedness <br />Many people asked for education and training on how to prepare for and stay safe during a disaster. In <br />particular, a participant wanted information on how to stay safe if you can’t evacuate during a wildfire. <br />Another suggestion was for education specific to people with disabilities about how to prepare for a <br />disaster (e.g. medicines, emergency contacts, transportation, service & comfort animals). Participants <br />also called out the need for trainings in Spanish (like for CPR classes), and the need to promote the CERT <br />trainings in Spanish through the LISTOS program. <br />Community members also discussed the need for help obtaining supplies for an emergency event. Many <br />participants mentioned emergency kits and the need to distribute free emergency kits to low-income <br />community members. One suggestion was to include self-care and emergency information in a kit as <br />well as supplies. Participants suggested that the County should stock up on air conditioning and air <br />purifiers to give out to people who can’t afford or find them in an emergency. Other participants <br />suggested helping people get affordable/comfortable protective equipment, for example helping <br />laborers get better clothing and eye protection for Spare the Air days. <br />Participants recommended nurturing connections within a community so that neighbors will have the <br />support of their neighbors during emergencies and organizing emergency teams of community <br />members to help their community in an emergency. The County’s Department of Emergency <br />Management could support these efforts with resources and trainings. <br />Housing and Home Improvements <br />Many participants suggested providing people with assistance in making improvements to their homes <br />and properties that would reduce the risks from hazards like earthquakes, flooding, extreme storms, <br />heat, wildfires, smoke, and drought. Specific suggested improvements included: <br /> Clearing defensible space around homes and buildings <br /> Drought resistant landscaping and rain barrels <br /> Bring buildings up to current code <br /> Flood-proofing homes <br /> Installing air conditioning and providing air purifiers <br /> Checking for and fixing air leaks in buildings <br /> Checking homes for thermal loss and proper installation <br /> Cleaning air filters <br /> Providing cooling centers in large apartment complexes <br />Participates suggested the following methods to help with improvements: <br /> Financial assistance such as low-cost loans, grants, and/or subsidies <br /> Incentives such as lower permitting fees or more density credits <br /> County-sponsored contractors or a list of good contractors <br /> Education and training about risk reducing improvements