Glendale (PDF) - Hazard Mitigation Web Portal - State of California

Natural Hazards Mitigation PlanCity of Glendale, CaliforniaSection 6 – Earthquakesexplains the casualties anticipated during the middle of the day in the non-residential sector (seeTable 6-8). These types of buildings also generate heavy debris that is difficult to cut throughto extricate victims.Casualties - Table 6-8 provides a summary of the casualties estimated for these scenarios. Theanalysis indicates that the worst time for an earthquake to occur in the City of Glendale isduring maximum non-residential occupancy (at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, when most people arein their place of business and schools are in session). The Verdugo fault earthquake scenario isanticipated to cause the largest number of casualties, followed closely by an event on the SierraMadre fault.Essential Facility Damage - The loss estimation model calculates the total number of hospitalbeds in Glendale that will be available after each earthquake scenario.A maximum magnitude earthquake on the Verdugo fault is expected to impact the localhospitals such that only 38 percent of the hospital beds (358 beds) would be available for use byexisting patients and injured persons on the day of the earthquake. One week after theearthquake, about 57 percent of the beds are expected to be back in service. After one month, 82percent of the beds are expected to be operational.Similarly, on the day of the Sierra Madre earthquake, the model estimates that only 378 hospitalbeds (40 percent) will be available for use by patients already in the hospital and those injuredby the earthquake. After one week, 59 percent of the beds will be back in service. After thirtydays, 83 percent of the beds will be available for use.An earthquake on the Raymond fault is only expected to be slightly better regarding theavailability of hospital beds. The model estimates that only 391 hospital beds (42 percent) willbe available on the day of the earthquake. After one week, 60 percent of the hospital beds areexpected to be available for use, and after one month, 84 percent of the beds are expected to beoperational.An earthquake on the San Andreas fault is not expected to cause significant damage to thehospitals in Glendale: On the day of the earthquake, the model estimates that 86 percent of thebeds will be available for use; after one week, 93 percent of the beds will be available for use; andafter 30 days, 98 percent of the beds will be operational.Given that the models estimate a maximum of about 100 people in the Glendale area willrequire hospitalization after an earthquake on either the Verdugo or Sierra Madre faults (seeTable 6-8), the hospitals in the City, even with the reduced number of beds that the modelprojects will be available, are anticipated to handle the local demand. However, nearby cities,such as Pasadena, which have limited medical care resources available, are anticipated to have ahigher number of casualties. Glendale’s hospitals will most likely provide a regional service toother nearby communities, taking in patients that other hospitals outside the City cannot handlebecause of damage to their own facilities, or due to excess demand for medical care.AndType and Time of ScenarioTable 6-8: Estimated CasualtiesLevel 1: Level 2: Level 3: Level 4:MedicaltreatmentwithouthospitalizationHospitalizationbut not lifethreateningHospitalizationand lifethreateningFatalities due toscenario event2AM Residential 15 1 0 02006 PAGE 6 - 48