By, Joe Szydlowski

Mass shootings, wildfires, earthquakes, floods – these and other disasters could abruptly turn a peaceful moment into chaos in seconds.

But those disasters, man-made or natural, are always on the minds of emergency responders and officials in Monterey County.

They came together Wednesday to showcase their response plans for disasters at Natividad.

While many have misconceptions about what to do in a disaster, they revealed important lessons to keep in mind, such as…

1.) Expect the unexpected

In a disaster, Natividad has drilled for its “15 ’til 50” program, aka 15 minutes until the ER gets 50 patients at once, said Craig Walls, Natividad’s chief medical officer who specializes in disaster responses.

When victims arrive at Natividad, they’d be triaged into one of three groups based on urgency: immediate, delayed and minor, Walls said.

“It’s always around 10 percent who need immediate attention,” said Walls.

The Monterey County Health Department recruits doctors, nurses and other professionals to serve as a rapid response to disasters, as do other counties, said John Greathouse, with the agency.

It also has mobile decontamination showers, he said.

Natividad and other local hospitals also have a mobile tent that can be set up as an emergency room within 12 hours.

Natividad additionally has two backup diesel generators that can supply power for days, Walls said. After an earthquake, teams survey the buildings within a half-hour to ensure it’s still structurally sound.

2.) The aftermath can be worse than the disaster

When disaster strikes, sometimes the worst is yet to come, Walls said.

“Most people aren’t injured in the disaster itself,” he said.

Survivors may face broken glass or nails, downed power lines and contaminated water, he said.

Helping people is instinctual but, Walls stressed, always use common sense and don’t put yourself in any danger.

Also, always defer to people with first-aid training, because trying to help a trauma victim may worsen injuries.

Nonetheless, the vast majority of Good Samaritans in disasters help, he said. If someone’s bleeding, put pressure on the wound.

If someone’s not breathing, raise the chin up, which may clear the windpipe and allow oxygen, he said.

3.) What goes down in a disaster

Communications are the first to fail in a disaster, Walls said.

It’s why the disaster communications center at Natividad has a Polaroid instant camera. Hospital staff in triage centers snap instant photos to attach to patients’ charts in case the network, power, internet or computers fail, Walls said.

It also has landlines, satellite phones and radios, Walls said.

Salinas police also have a mobile command center for major incidents as well as community events, said Salinas Police Sgt. Kendall Gray. Police deploy it about once every week or two, he said.

But power and communications may be down for extended periods, depending on the disaster, Greathouse said.

In addition, a cyber disaster, such as when the city of Atlanta’s entire computer network was shut down and ransomed by hackers, can cripple critical infrastructure, Gatehouse said.

“Everyone should be prepared to go 72 to 96 hours without (services) in their home,” he said.

4.) Preparation is vital

“Anything we can do (in the) days before an earthquake is going to save more lives than anything afterward,” Walls said.

The American Red Cross says stock up on the following supplies:

• One gallon of water per person per day
• Non-perishable, easily prepared food for three days if evacuated or up to two weeks at home
• Flashlights, battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• First-aid kit and a week’s worth of any medications
• Multipurpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents, such as any medical information, prescriptions, proof of address, the deed or lease, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, and financial accounts
• Up-to-date photos of loved ones, especially children
• Cell phone charger
• Family and emergency contact information
• Cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map of the area
• Disinfectant
• Contact information, including for work or school, for each family member
• Pet supplies

In addition, have an alternative place to meet in case your family is separated or can’t get home.

Walls has chosen a fire station next to a park his kids are familiar with as a meeting spot, he said.

The Red Cross contracts with local organizations for evacuation shelters, so they can be set up almost immediately, said Red Cross volunteer and Seaside City Councilman Dennis Alexander. They also will provide food, water and other necessities.

Evacuation orders can carry different levels of urgency, said Officer Christopher Weaver with the California Highway Patrol.

Until orders are lifted, law enforcement will patrol evacuation zones to stop opportunistic thieves, he said.

Once the orders are lifted, residents should make sure they have an ID – it may be required to get back in, Weaver said.

If someone’s trying to reach a stranded relative, give law enforcement the person’s name and address. Officers will evacuate them or, under certain circumstances, help the person evacuate the relative, Weaver said.

5.) What not to do

In disasters, people often converge on a hospital, such as what happened in Watsonville in 1989, which suffered a worst-case scenario after an earthquake.

The hospital had lost power, sewage, communications and other critical services, Walls said.

“Hundreds and hundreds of (unharmed people) showed up at the hospital,” he said.

Anyone who thinks they may have a medical emergency should get to the ER, Walls said.

But healthy people don’t belong in an emergency room.

“Everyone should have a basic level of preparation so they don’t need to fall back on emergency services,” he said.

Local clinics, doctors and urgent care facilities can help those with the minor and moderate injuries, relieving pressure on emergency rooms, said Greathouse, with Monterey County Health Department.

But the best thing to do is stay home if possible and not under an evacuation order, according to the health department.

Don’t drive unless evacuating or seeking medical treatment. Also, don’t call 911 unless it’s a life-threatening situation – emergency lines and responders will already be very busy.

Don’t turn off utilities, unless ordered to by authorities or if they are damaged, the health department says.

However, gas lines may be damaged, so be alert for the smell of natural gas and careful with open flames.

Also, don’t forget to practice: it helps emergency personnel sharpen their skills, he said.

“Every drill we run reveals something we should have thought about,” he said.