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4/19/21 Housing has been the most discussed topic within the communities affected by the Camp Fire that occurred in Northern California in November 2018. The disaster destroyed nearly 19,000 physical structures in the town of Paradise and nearby unincorporated communities in Butte County. Sadly, former residents of now burn-scarred communities still face many challenges on their path to having a place they can confidently call home, even months or years later. Agencies and individuals are aggressively seeking different housing solutions, hoping to rebuild the town and communities despite all the obstacles that arise on the way. While focusing on disaster case management, Tzu Chi volunteers are also proactively involving themselves and collaborating with partner agencies to pursue feasible housing solutions. Key Words: Tiny Homes, 3D Printing

If an emergency has forced you to evacuate your home, the Red Cross may be able to help. National site with locations of all Red Cross sponsored emergency shelters. Everyone is welcome at a Red Cross shelter. The Red Cross does not discriminate based on nationality, race, religious beliefs, class, disability, political opinions, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Your service animal is also welcome. Please speak with a shelter worker if your service animal is in need of food or supplies. (You may also ask for help finding placement for your pets.)

Classes in disaster preparedness and response, health and safety, first aid, and childcare. Emergency assistance for victims of home fires and natural disasters. Fire prevention and community education programs. International Services - Family Reunification. San Jose office serves Santa Clara County. Key Words: RIF

For prolonged power outages,, there are steps you can take to minimize food loss and to keep all members of your household as comfortable as possible. Key Words: Disaster, Emergency

With more people getting sick with COVID-19 local animal shelters are concerned companion animals will be left uncared for. Local animal shelters urge the public to have an emergency plan for your pets. Key Words: Emergency, Disaster, coronavirus,

Written by Michelle Whitmer | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Scientifically Reviewed By Arti Shukla, Ph.D. Natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods and tornadoes can damage asbestos-containing materials and lead to asbestos exposure among first responders, cleanup crews and nearby residents. Learn how to prevent asbestos exposure when preparing for and cleaning up after a natural disaster. How Is Asbestos a Risk During a Natural Disaster? A large number of homes and commercial buildings constructed prior to the 1980s were built with asbestos materials. Those products are considered safe as long as they are in good condition. But once ripped, broken, burned, blown or washed away, the products release toxic asbestos fibers into the air. Breathing in these fibers in the aftermath of a natural disaster can lead to serious health conditions years later. The more someone is exposed to asbestos, the higher their risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as a cancer called mesothelioma. Natural disasters pose dangers from the moment they occur. People don’t often consider health risks after a tornado rips through their neighborhood or a flash flood destroys their personal possessions. Asbestos exposure isn’t an immediate danger such as live electrical wires, gas leaks or unstable infrastructure. It also isn’t as apparent as more obvious health risks such as black mold. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and travel by air or in clouds of dust, so you can be exposed and not even know it. It is essential to consider and properly prepare for asbestos exposure prevention when planning for natural disasters and severe weather. Knowing how to keep safe from asbestos after a disaster can help prevent health conditions later in life. Who Is at Risk of Asbestos Exposure During a Disaster? As the first people on the scene, emergency response crews and early response volunteers face an increased risk for asbestos exposure in the wake of a natural disaster because of all the debris. The risk of health effects increases over time and depends upon frequency and amount of exposure to asbestos to these workers. Top First Responder Occupations at Risk Firefighters Law enforcement officials Emergency response workers (FEMA, American Red Cross, etc.) Enlisted military (Coast Guard, Navy, Army, etc.) Cleanup crew members (private contractors, state and local agencies,volunteers) Homeowners of damaged properties also face these risks and should alwaysuse caution when cleaning or searching through debris. Products Containing Asbestos There are dozens of asbestos-containing products in older construction such as single-family homes, apartment complexes, office buildings, churches and schools. These products are considered safe if they are in good condition and left undisturbed in walls, floors and the ceilings and roofs of structures. But natural disasters pose a threat to these products which can be damaged by winds, fires, floods and earthquakes. If asbestos-containing materials are suspected during cleanup efforts, experts recommend you leave them alone. Stirring up asbestos-containing debris can result in airborne asbestos fibers, and exposure is highly likely at that point. Common Household Materials Containing Asbestos Roofing felt Pipe lagging Block insulation Adhesives Appliance components Ceiling products Cement board Gardening products Flooring Paints Roofing Table pads Wallboard Insulation Fireplace decorations Taping compounds and plasters Electrical insulation and panels Heating and cooling systems Asbestos Exposure Prevention After a Disaster Different types of natural disasters present a variety of asbestos exposure risks. For example, tornados may carry asbestos debris from one location to another, while floods may contaminate local waterways and neighborhoods with asbestos materials. Fires present a greater risk to firefighters than other emergency responders. Hurricanes pose a variety of exposure threats from related tornados and flooding. please visit https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/natural-disasters/ for more information.

FEMA helps state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and certain types of private nonprofit organizations respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. After an event like a hurricane, tornado, earthquake or wildfire, communities need help to cover their costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure. FEMA Public Assistance and Program Policy Guide 6/1/20

12/23/19 The audit focused on the emergency alert, evacuation and shelter plans in place for the California Office of Emergency Services and Ventura, Sonoma and Butte counties ahead of their respective wildfires in 2017 and 2018. California emergency officials are continuing to overlook the state's most vulnerable people, including those with disabilities, as they make preparations for inevitable wildfires, floods and other disasters, according to a state audit released this month. Residents who don't speak English have been unable to find information in their language. Individuals who use wheelchairs or rely on electricity to power lifesaving equipment have found themselves unable to move and cut off from the outside world, trapped in part, the audit suggests, by state and county leaders' inability to think ahead for emergencies. Key Words: AFN

All CA county maps color coded risk for Earthquake, Wildfire and Flood Hazards Santa Clara | Alameda | Santa Cruz |

As home insurers flee California, the state’s last-resort insurance plan is warning that it’s being pushed toward insolvency, forced to cover a rapidly growing number of properties that have lost traditional coverage and unable to collect enough in premiums to cover potential losses.

The State of California is providing resources to help Californians impacted by the unique challenges brought on by wildfire and power shutoffs. Information on current wildfires burning in California, Learn about transportation impacts from power shutdowns and wildfires. Air Quality Find help for health impacts from power shutdowns and wildfire. Resources for vulnerable populations. Resources - Find help from government nonprofits. Help with Shelter, Food, Key Words: Disaster

CADRE coordinates organizational preparedness planning in non-disaster times and activates to respond and provide essential services during and after a disaster. CADRE works with Santa Clara County's emergency management community to build disaster resilience among service organizations through communication, coordination and preparedness training. CADRE is the official local Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster (VOAD) for SCC under Northern California's State VOAD. Sign up for the CADRE Connection newsletter and receive emergency preparedness updates on the last Monday of the month. Contact CADREeoc@gmail.com with questions.

CADRE - (Collaborating Agencies’ Disaster Relief Effort) is the Santa Clara County chapter of NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster).  We are part of the network of local, state, and national VOADs.  CADRE provides free culturally appropriate disaster preparation training and facilitates collaboration between service providers.  During disasters, CADRE convenes nonprofits, faith-based and government entities to 1) Establish the current status of the emergency, 2) Connect like- organizations, 3) Develop relevant resources, and 4) Help find solutions, and 5) Give a voice to vulnerable populations in the disaster planning and relief process.

Monthly news from the Santa Clara County chapter of NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). Information and resources for local, state and national disaster training and relief programs available to Santa Clara County residents. News and updates about CADRE partner organizations, and opportunities to collaborate. The CADRE Newsletter is hosted by SVCN (Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits). Key Words: Disaster Preparation, SCC

Monthly news from the Santa Clara County chapter of NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). Information and resources for local, state and national disaster training and relief programs available to Santa Clara County residents. News and updates about CADRE partner organizations, and opportunities to collaborate. The CADRE Newsletter is hosted by SVCN (Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits). Key Words: Disaster Preparation, SCC

Writing your emergency plan can seem daunting, but don't worry! There are plenty of free resources to help you, and the ChildCare Aware® of America Emergency Preparedness Team is happy to help. Check out the resources on this page and feel free to drop us a line if you have questions preparedness@usa.childcareaware.org