Their goal is to make any disaster less severe and to improve recovery options for those who are affected.

ECA provides information and resources to help everyone who lives, works, or travels in earthquake country to prepare for disaster, to survive and most importantly return to a normal state after an emergency.

ECA selects worthy projects to fund with mini-awards that will fund resources or programs for earthquake preparedness.

CIMC applied for an ECA Emergency Water Project grant and was awarded $500.

Catalina Island Medical Center is the only source of medical services for 4,500 residents and up to 1 million visitors each year.

This grant money pays for the purchase of a hospital grade system to drain up to 400 gallons of potable water from the Medical Center’s five hot water heaters. Frequent disaster drills in coordination with local Fire and Sheriff personnel could incorporate the draining of one hot water heater to give “first responders” and hospital staff members the experience they need to access this emergency water source.

For more information on disaster or earthquake preparedness, call 310-510-0700.