By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

La Crescenta resident Paul Dutton has been working on preparing folks for when (not if) the “Big One” strikes – whether flood, earthquake, wildfire or any other natural disaster.

To that end, he launched The Emergency Preparedness Network, which will have its first webinar on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. It is the goal of the free webinar to start getting families ready for disaster before it strikes.

Dutton has worked in emergency preparation for decades working with the sheriff’s department, Red Cross and fire departments, among others, to prepare interagency strategic planning. He can provide free, field-tested evacuation and business continuity checklists to ensure that folks are prepared in the case of emergency.

“It’s what we’re going to do beforehand that’s going to make a difference,” he said.

Dutton’s experience spans some of the most significant disasters in Southern California’s recent history including the Station Fire and the massive floods occurring afterward. 

According to Grist Magazine, in the 1980s billion-dollar disasters happened on average every 82 days but over the last decade that window has tightened to just 16 days. Dutton wants to make sure that as many people as possible are prepared.

“They’re not coming for you – now what?” is just one of the many questions The Emergency Preparedness Network will answer.

Dutton said that having a three-day kit on hand is a myth.

“People are going to need a lot more than that,” he said. “People are going to need a family disaster plan that’s going to last 30 days.”

Among the things that Dutton wants to teach people is how they can be their own first responder. The three big plans he will teach is the importance of sheltering in place, having a reunification plan and having an evacuation plan.

“Every family needs a reunification plan,” he advises noting that most disasters strike without notice. 

Preparation in the face of a disaster is essential to Dutton.

“You learn more about putting on a seatbelt on an airplane than taking care of your family in the case of an emergency,” he said.

The Emergency Preparedness Network can be found on YouTube, among other outlets, or type tepn.info to get quick access to The Emergency Preparedness Network.

To learn more, on Nov. 7 attend the webinar hosted by The Emergency Preparedness Network from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. To learn more, scan the QR code.