How hospitals rate in quake readiness

This story originally appeared in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

California regulators grade the earthquake vulnerability of hospitals with a five-point rating system.

The top rating for nonstructural readiness is a "5," meaning that a facility can operate on its own for at least 72 hours, with fuel and water on site.

The lowest grade is a "1," meaning that a hospital's emergency power, lighting, communications or other features lack the safeguards to assure that patients can be evacuated safely.

A rating of "2" - which describes most buildings in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier area - means a building could be safely evacuated, but is expected to suffer significant nonstructural damage in a strong earthquake.

Here are the ratings of select local hospitals, reported by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (in some cases, the state ratings are lower than those claimed by hospitals):

San Gabriel Valley Medical Center, San Gabriel: All buildings rated 1. Hospital says it is working to improve to a 2 rating.

East Valley Hospital Medical Center, Glendora: All buildings rated 1. Hospital says all buildings are rated 2.

Citrus Valley Medical Center, Inter-Community campus, Covina: Ten buildings are awaiting approval of 2; work planned to raise ratings to 3 by 2015.

Citrus Valley Medical Center, Queen of the Valley campus, West Covina: One building rated 4. Nine buildings awaiting approval of 2; work planned to raise ratings to 3 by

2015. Foothill Presbyterian, Glendora: Both buildings rated 2.

Methodist Hospital of Southern California, Arcadia: All buildings rated 2, though the hospital just completed a new tower. The hospital has been granted a waiver and won't have to be at a rating of 3 until 2030.

Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, Whittier: All buildings are rated 2. The hospital has been granted a waiver and won't have to be at a rating of 3 until 2030. Hospital officials said their new Shannon Tower and several other additions to existing buildings have ratings of 5, as will the new Plaza Tower under construction.

Huntington Hospital, Pasadena: All buildings are rated 2; one building is awaiting approval of a 3 rating. The hospital says the West Tower, built in 2008, is rated 4.

Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park: Four buildings are rated 2; awaiting approval of 3 rating. Hospital says they are already rated 3.

Greater El Monte Community Hospital: Two buildings rated 2.

Whittier Hospital: All buildings rated 2.

Alhambra Hospital: Building rated 1, awaiting approval of 2 rating. Hospital says awaiting approval of 3 rating.

Monterey Park Hospital: Buildings rated 2.

San Dimas Community Hospital: All buildings rated 2.