EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION FOR COMPTON
A Compton Chamber of Commerce Public Service Announcement
Earthquakes cannot be predicted, but households, businesses and community organizations can prepare before damaging shaking begins.
Recent earthquake activity near Compton a week ago, and recently near Lennox, Hawthorne and Inglewood provides a timely reminder that Compton and the surrounding region remain vulnerable to seismic emergencies.
A small earthquake may cause little or no damage, but it should encourage every household and workplace to examine whether it is genuinely prepared for a larger event. Residents are encouraged to review their household emergency plans, prepare disaster-supply kits, secure heavy furniture and appliances, and register to receive local emergency notifications.
The Compton Chamber of Commerce encourages residents, business owners, employees, schools, churches and community organizations to review the official emergency-preparedness resources provided by the City of Compton and the Compton Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management.
Compton’s Office of Emergency Management
The City’s Office of Emergency Management coordinates Compton’s preparation for, response to and recovery from natural disasters and other major emergencies.
Its responsibilities include:
Managing and overseeing the City’s Emergency Operations Center
Maintaining the City’s emergency-notification system
Developing public education and community-outreach programs
Coordinating the Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT
Providing emergency training to City employees
Maintaining the City’s Emergency Operations Plan and Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Coordinating with municipal, county, state and federal agencies, businesses, nonprofits and faith-based organizations
The office’s stated mission is to help make Compton a disaster-resilient community through emergency-preparedness information, education, awareness and training.
Prepare a Disaster-Supply Kit
A major earthquake could interrupt electricity, water, telephone service, transportation and access to stores, banks and pharmacies. Emergency personnel may also be responding to the most critical incidents first. Every household should therefore maintain supplies that can be reached quickly.
The City recommends preparing an individual adult emergency bag containing essential items such as:
Drinking water and nonperishable food
Flashlights, spare batteries and light sticks
A battery-powered portable radio
At least a one-week supply of necessary medication
A small first-aid kit
Comfortable clothing, walking shoes, socks and a jacket
Work gloves, dust masks and a whistle
House and vehicle keys
Cash in coins and small bills
Eyeglasses, contact lenses and personal-hygiene supplies
Emergency telephone numbers and an out-of-state contact
Copies of identification, insurance information and other important documents
Paper, pencils and plastic storage bags
Blankets and other basic shelter materials
Water should be stored separately, with the City recommending a minimum of one gallon per person.
Supplies must also reflect the needs of everyone in the household. The City provides separate recommendations for seniors, people with disabilities, infants, young children and pets. These may include medical-device information, hearing-aid batteries, oxygen or other specialized supplies, infant formula, diapers, pet food, carriers, leashes, identification tags and vaccination records.
Residents should also maintain an emergency kit inside each regularly used vehicle. Suggested items include water, food, extra clothing, walking shoes, a flashlight, first-aid supplies, blankets, work gloves, jumper cables, basic tools, a fire extinguisher, emergency telephone numbers and maps of frequently traveled routes.
Do not prepare a kit and forget about it. Check food, water, medicine and batteries periodically and replace anything that has expired.
Register for Alert Compton
Emergency information is most useful when it reaches residents quickly.
Alert Compton is the City’s emergency-notification system. Residents are encouraged to register so they can receive important local notifications by telephone, text message and/or email when emergencies affect the community.
Do not assume that every household member’s mobile number or email address has been registered automatically. Each household should review its contact information, and businesses should consider registering the appropriate owners, managers or responsible employees.
Know What to Do During Shaking
When an earthquake begins:
DROP
Get down onto your hands and knees before the shaking knocks you down.
COVER
Protect your head and neck beneath a sturdy table or desk when one is nearby. If no shelter is available, move away from windows and objects that could fall, and protect your head and neck with your arms.
HOLD ON
Hold onto your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with it if necessary.
Do not run outside while a building is shaking. Exterior glass, masonry, signs and other materials may fall near doorways and building walls. If you are already outdoors, move away from buildings, utility lines, trees and other overhead hazards.
If you are driving, pull over safely, and remain inside the vehicle.
Avoid stopping beneath bridges, overpasses, trees, power lines or signs.
After the shaking stops, expect aftershocks.
Check for injuries and hazards.
Use text messages to reduce telephone-network congestion.
Follow instructions from public-safety authorities.
Call 911 ONLY for immediate threats to life or property—not simply to report that an earthquake was felt.
Secure Your Home and Workplace Before an Earthquake
Many earthquake injuries are caused by falling objects, broken glass and unsecured furniture rather than structural collapse.
Take practical steps now:
Anchor tall bookcases, shelving and filing cabinets
Secure televisions, computers and other heavy equipment
Keep heavy or breakable objects on lower shelves
Install latches on cabinets containing glassware or hazardous materials
When possible, keep beds, desks and seating away from large windows
Identify safe locations in every frequently used room
Learn how to shut off gas, electricity and water when necessary
Keep fire extinguishers accessible and ensure responsible adults know how to use them
Practice family and workplace earthquake drills
Establish an out-of-area contact and two meeting places—one near home and another outside the neighborhood
Include children, older adults, people with disabilities and pets in every emergency plan
Businesses should also protect essential records, maintain current employee-contact information, identify alternative suppliers and payment methods, and develop a plan for communicating with employees after an emergency.
Understand Compton’s Hazard-Mitigation Planning
The City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies hazards, potential community losses, mitigation needs, goals and strategies intended to reduce damage before disasters occur.
This planning supports the City’s broader land-use and emergency-management responsibilities. It also helps local government identify long-term projects and policies that may reduce injuries, property damage, infrastructure failures and disruption to essential services.
Residents and business owners can review the plan to better understand the hazards facing Compton and the City’s approach to reducing those risks.
Review the City’s Earthquake Announcement
In April 2026, the City recognized Earthquake Preparedness Month and encouraged residents to take proactive steps by developing emergency plans, assembling disaster-supply kits and securing heavy household items.
Preparedness should not be limited to a single month. Emergency plans and supplies should be reviewed throughout the year and whenever household members, addresses, telephone numbers, medical needs or business operations change.
Emergency-Preparedness Contact
Compton Fire Station No. 1—Headquarters
201 S. Acacia Avenue, Compton, CA 90220
Telephone: (310) 605-5670
Office hours listed by the City are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Call 911 for an active life-threatening emergency.
Prepare Now—Not After the Shaking Begins
Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. Government agencies and first responders have critical duties, but every prepared household and workplace strengthens the resilience of the entire community.
The Compton Chamber of Commerce encourages you to review these official resources, register for Alert Compton, assemble or update your emergency supplies and share this information with family members, neighbors, employees, customers, congregations and community organizations.
Earthquakes cannot be predicted. Preparation, however, is a decision we can make today.
