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# Red Cross and city urge residents to stock seven days of emergency supplies
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/050206-story-20060502/
- Published: 2006-05-02T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T17:41:01.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Community, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

One can never be too prepared for disaster, and May is as good a time as any to ensure you and your loved ones are ready if disaster strikes.

The American Red Cross of Santa Monica and the city of Santa Monica are launching a month-long campaign advising Santa Monicans to “be prepared” for emergencies and disasters.

“One of the lessons Hurricane Katrina taught us was that having three days of emergency supplies wasn’t enough,” said John Pacheco, executive director of the Santa Monica Red Cross.

Organizers said it’s important for emergency supplies to be available for seven days, hence the theme for this year’s campaign, “I’ve got 7.”

Many local businesses have offered tickets, prizes, discount coupons and other incentives to encourage the public to be aware and prepared by pledging to follow the seven steps for preparedness: 1\. Have a week’s supply of nonperishable food and water on hand. 2\. Keep a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries available. 3\. Keep a fully stocked First Aid Kit. 4\. Have cash on hand. ATM machines and credit cards are useless without power. 5\. Have sturdy clothing, especially long pants, long sleeve shirts, hard-soled shoes and gloves. 6\. Make sure you have special needs such as medicine, eyeglasses, sanitary supplies, matches, passports (I.D.) and pet supplies available. 7\. Contact information for someone out of the area who can relay messages to family and friends if local communications are down.

On all collateral materials, an “I’ve Got 7” pledge card will be included. It can be filled out, signed and clipped by anybody who pledges to be prepared for emergencies. The pledge cards can be returned to the Santa Monica Red Cross where they will be entered into a drawing for prizes and gifts which will be held on June 2.

A special school campaign will target seventh grade classrooms to bring the “be disaster ready” message to students, parents and families. Literature explaining the seven steps necessary to be prepared for an emergency will be distributed in the classroom. Students will pledge to be prepared, clip the pledge card and turn it in for drawings for prizes and classroom pizza parties.

The campaign also will involve all city employees who will make pledges and be eligible for drawings and prizes.

“The event will be held throughout the month of May,” said Paul Weinberg, the city of Santa Monica’s director of emergency services. “This will give everyone a chance to see and accomplish what must be done to keep their families safe and in relative comfort if a serious disaster were to occur.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 2, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/050206.pdf?ref=smdp.com)