Local preparedness seminar teaching local families disaster awareness

“I can’t even count the earthquakes I’ve been through…that’s what happens in Southern California.”

That’s how Patty Matis of Desert Hot Springs is aware that she lives in quake country. Having felt recent tremors that have hit around the Coachella Valley. They’re at a disaster preparedness seminar held Saturday to learn how get through a worst case scenario.

“Being in this particular area, I think it’s very important because, we’re way overdue for the big one,” she said.

Desert Hot Springs Police Chief Dale Mondary said he responded in the aftermath of the 1992 Landers earthquake, and through that experience, he stressed that families needed enough food and water for a few days.

“People were looking for places with water for shelter, for food and those businesses weren’t open,” he said.

If an earthquake or other disaster were to strike, officials are asking families to get prepared with supplies such as this simple kit, such as having gauze, bandages, masks, even hand sanitizer, all in order to treat any initial injuries.

“To be able to have those supplies to take care of yourself right then and there, that gives you that ability to take care of those small minute issues,” Eddy Moore of CAL FIRE, said.

Issues Matis won’t have to worry about.

“I plan on getting water and just cans of tuna fish or stuff I wouldn’t normally eat out of a can or whatever, just something you can have to eat, because you’re going to have to…I didn’t realize, take care of yourself,” she said.