The big one is coming… and emergency services are not. That was the take-away message from the presentation organized by MHIA president Roy Payan. The inevitable 7.8 quake will overwhelm the city's capacity to help. What can we do? Learn how to help ourselves.

Sign up for CERT and Red Cross training. Learn how to prepare at home, at work and in the car. Read about Cal Tech's study of a likely scenario in Southern California. No one can control when the Big One comes, but we can do a lot to control how well we do afterwards.

Roy and the other presenters suggested things you can do right now:

• In your cell phone, add phone numbers of people close to you preceded by the word ICE. This stands for "In Case of Emergency." Volunteers are trained to look for numbers with that designation as the people to contact if you are found incapacitated.
  
  
• Make a list of everyone and every pet living in your house and put it in a picture frame near the front entrance of your home. Include descriptions and any special needs. Volunteers will then know who to look for and no one will be left behind.
  
  
• Make sure you have three gallons of water per person per day. Learn how to get the water out of your water heater for drinking.
  
  
• Keep a lot of dollar bills handy. Stores will probably not be able to make change.
  
  
• Get a fire extinguisher. If fire breaks out during a big earthquake, the fire department won't be able to come and your water supply may be cut off.
  
  
• In addition to making plans with your household members, make arrangements with a far-away friend to be your communication chief. You probably can't contact family and friends in Los Angeles, but you may be able to call out of state. This person can relay messages to other members of your group when you can't talk to each other.
  
  
• Get a first aid kit.

If you're indoors when the shaking starts, DON'T try to get outside and DON'T try to walk to a doorway. The safest response is to DROP, COVER and HOLD ON. Get down quickly because the force of the quake can immediately shatter windows and send everything flying, including heavy TV sets and computer monitors if they aren't tied down. You don't want to be in the line of fire. If you're a step or so from a table, get under it and pull a rug or jacket or anything handy over yourself. Protect your face and head and the front of your body. Hold onto whatever you can reach until the shaking stops.

Afterwards, when you are sure you're OK and there's no immediate danger in your home, check on your neighbors.