FOOD, WATER, POWER NEEDED BURBANK COULD BE BETTER PREPARED.

Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer

BURBANK - Better public education, more back-up generators, and an emergency stock of food and water are needed so Burbank can be better prepared for a natural disaster or a terrorist attack, officials said Wednesday.

Fire officials outlined these shortcomings earlier this week, a month after City Councilman David Golonski inquired about the city's disaster plans, raised in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Authorities said a disaster would initially overwhelm resources in the city - and, possibly, throughout Southern California - so officials pressed the issue of how to better prepare the public for a disaster.

``We're really doing well,'' said Rich Baenen, the Fire Department's disaster preparedness coordinator. ``But there's still room for improvement.''

Baenen said the city has been making strides in public education through training sessions titled ``Are You Ready?'' that show residents how to create a family communications plan, use fire extinguishers and create emergency supply kits.

The public training sessions fit in with new training programs for city staff members who are now taking a federally mandated ``National Incident Management System,'' an online training course for emergency preparedness.

Officials say they are taking inventory of their food, water and equipment and have enough for municipal emergency crews and staff. Golonski said it's up to residents to have emergency supply kits on hand if a disaster hits.

Golonski said the city needs more mobile power generators to be stored at city shelters. He said the city only has one mobile generator on a trailer. He also suggested taking a poll of residents to see just how well-prepared they are.

``We should step up efforts to help citizens get ready so they can be better prepared,'' he said.

Jason Kandel, [phone]

jason.kandel(at)dailynews.com

--To register for the Burbank Fire Department's ``Are You Ready?'' training sessions, call the Disaster Education Hotline at [phone].