KARLA NISHIZAKI
staff writer
The city of Malibu is preparing residents for the case of a tsunami by creating a preparedness plan, informing citizens of the chances and consequences of such a disaster.
“We’re one of the first cities to do this on the coast,” said Brad Davis, coordinator of emergency preparedness at Malibu City Hall about the city’s tsunami report. The report made the national news with its controversial slogan capitalized in bold “NEVER GO TO THE BEACH TO WATCH FOR, OR SURF, A TSUNAMI WAVE!”
Some assumed Malibu was “down” on the surfers, but Davis said the city is just trying to save their lives. A tsunami hasn’t hit the Californian coastline since 2000, and has never hit Malibu’s coast, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“Paranoia is there ever since the devastation in Sumatra.” Brad Davis said. “Awareness is a good thing.”
If a tsunami threatened Malibu, all coastline structures, especially in the eastern-most half of the city, would be in jeopardy, Davis said. There is no siren for early warning.
“The city of Malibu would be notified by the Alaska/Hawaii warning network within minutes of an event that could remotely have an effect on this area, but getting the warning out to the population would take time,” according to the Emergency Response Plan manual.
If a warning is issued for an approaching tsunami, citizens are instructed to take action.
“Get up hill and inland,” Davis said.
The manual indicates that any area that is 90 feet above sea level may be considered an area safe from tsunami upsurge. Pepperdine is about 100 feet above sea level.
“Pepperdine is high up and will be used as a forward command force,” Davis said.
Pepperdine is taking precautions to ensure the safety of the people at the school through ERT, emergency response training classes. This program is open to the faculty and staff at Pepperdine and is purely based on volunteers.
Courtenay Stallings of the Communication Division has volunteered to be on the scene in case of an emergency.
There’s sure to be people helping on the site before any professional help arrives.
“It is a good idea to keep three days worth of food and water,” said Stallings about an emergency kit kept in your car. “We don’t want to think about bad things happening, but you never know. We sort of think we’re immortal to an extent. I’m more worried about earthquakes and fires than tsunamis.”
The risk of tsunamis is low at Pepperdine due to its high elevation, but tsunamis do come with earthquakes or an underwater landslide, according to the brochures issued by the City of Malibu. Of course, students and faculty often use the lowlands to shop, eat or play at the beach.
Jon Weber, administrative assistant of Insurance and Risk Management at Pepperdine, said “Everything I see does not show that a tsunami will have an effect on campus.” To be informed on the City of Malibu’s updated reports about tsunamis and more, simply visit the official city Web site at www.ci.malibu.ca.us.
Nevertheless, for those who like to be prepared in case of an emergency, Pepperdine has emergency kits for sale.
The kit has a supply of food and water for one person for three days. It includes a small first aid kit, a 12-hour light stick, flashlight, DD batteries with a 20-year shelf life and a foil blanket.
The cost of this kit is $25.99, and can be purchased through the Office of Insurance and Risk Management.
Tera deVroede contributed to this story
03-23-2006