It wasn't the real thing, but the students at Park View Middle School reacted like it was on Thursday during the largest earthquake drill in history - the Great Southern California Shakeout.
Continue reading Yucaipa students participate in ShakeOut.
Below is a question and answer section from www.shakeout.org on earthquake preparedness:
Q: I've heard about alternate ways of staying safe during an earthquake, like the "Triangle of Life" concept. What should I do?
A:The safest thing to do during an earthquake is "Drop, Cover, and Hold On," as described at http://www.earthquakecountry.info/dropcoverholdon. This special report describes how the "Triangle of Life" is promoted with greatly exaggerated or wrong information, and is not a viable method for keeping safe in an earthquake.
Q: Is an earthquake going to hit southern California in November?
A: It's not impossible, because California is a very seismically active region. However, the November 13 date refers to an earthquake drill, rather than a predicted earthquake. At this time, there is no way to predict earthquakes with this type of precision. However, it is important that southern Californians get prepared for an earthquake larger than anything we've ever experienced. A new study has forecast a 99.7% chance of an earthquake the size of the Northridge Earthquake or larger in the next 30 years.
Q: How can I teach my kids to prepare?
A: Visit the ShakeOut guide for families. Teach your kids to Drop, Cover, and Hold On. You can also play the 'Earthquake Game' where when anyone says "earthquake!" everyone has to pretend an earthquake is happening and practice their response. Teach you children that they should go under a table and hold on if one is near. If they are in a room without a table, crouch against an interior wall, away from windows. Find an "earthquake-safe" location in every room of the house so they don't try to run during an earthquake.
Q: I've heard about alternate ways of staying safe during an earthquake, like the "Triangle of Life" concept. What should I do?
A:The safest thing to do during an earthquake is "Drop, Cover, and Hold On," as described at http://www.earthquakecountry.info/dropcoverholdon. This special report describes how the "Triangle of Life" is promoted with greatly exaggerated or wrong information, and is not a viable method for keeping safe in an earthquake.
Q: Is an earthquake going to hit southern California in November?
A: It's not impossible, because California is a very seismically active region. However, the November 13 date refers to an earthquake drill, rather than a predicted earthquake. At this time, there is no way to predict earthquakes with this type of precision. However, it is important that southern Californians get prepared for an earthquake larger than anything we've ever experienced. A new study has forecast a 99.7% chance of an earthquake the size of the Northridge Earthquake or larger in the next 30 years.
Q: How can I teach my kids to prepare?
A: Visit the ShakeOut guide for families. Teach your kids to Drop, Cover, and Hold On. You can also play the 'Earthquake Game' where when anyone says "earthquake!" everyone has to pretend an earthquake is happening and practice their response. Teach you children that they should go under a table and hold on if one is near. If they are in a room without a table, crouch against an interior wall, away from windows. Find an "earthquake-safe" location in every room of the house so they don't try to run during an earthquake.
Make sure you have the following in case a natural disaster kits:
Personal Disaster Supplies Kits
Medications, prescriptions list, copy of medical card,
doctor's name and contact information
Medical consent forms for dependents
First aid kit and handbook
Examination gloves (non-latex)
Dust mask
Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses and cleaning solution
Bottled water
Whistle (to alert rescuers to your location)
Sturdy shoes
Emergency cash (small bills and coins)
Road maps
List of emergency out-of-state contact phone numbers
Non-perishable food and snack foods, high in water and calories
Manual can opener
Working flashlight with extra batteries and light bulbs,
or lightsticks
Personal hygiene supplies
Premoistened towelettes
Comfort items such as games, crayons, writing materials, teddy bears
Toiletries and special provisions you need for
yourself and others in your family including elderly,
disabled, small children, and animals.
Sealable plastic bags
Extra clothes
Copies of personal identification (driver's license,
work identification card, etc.)
Household Disaster Supplies Kit
Flashlight with extra batteries
Wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies
Sturdy work gloves and protective goggles
Heavy duty plastic bags for waste, and to serve as tarps, rain ponchos, and other uses
Portable radio with extra batteries
Additional flashlights or lightsticks
Drinking water (minimum one gallon per person, per day)
Canned and packaged foods
Manual can opener
First aid kit and handbook
Charcoal or gas grill for outdoor cooking and matches if needed
Cooking utensils, including a manual can opener
Pet food and pet restraints
Comfortable, warm clothing including extra socks
Blankets or sleeping bags, and perhaps even a tent
Copies of vital documents such as insurance policies
Fire extinguisher
Sealable plastic bags
Essential medications
Pet Disaster Supplies Kit
Medications and medical records (stored in a
waterproof container)
First aid kit
Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that your animals can't escape
Current photos of your pets in case they get lost
Food, potable water, bowls, cat litter/pan, and
manual can opener
Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets
Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable
-- Emergency Survival Program
Personal Disaster Supplies Kits
Medications, prescriptions list, copy of medical card,
doctor's name and contact information
Medical consent forms for dependents
First aid kit and handbook
Examination gloves (non-latex)
Dust mask
Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses and cleaning solution
Bottled water
Whistle (to alert rescuers to your location)
Sturdy shoes
Emergency cash (small bills and coins)
Road maps
List of emergency out-of-state contact phone numbers
Non-perishable food and snack foods, high in water and calories
Manual can opener
Working flashlight with extra batteries and light bulbs,
or lightsticks
Personal hygiene supplies
Premoistened towelettes
Comfort items such as games, crayons, writing materials, teddy bears
Toiletries and special provisions you need for
yourself and others in your family including elderly,
disabled, small children, and animals.
Sealable plastic bags
Extra clothes
Copies of personal identification (driver's license,
work identification card, etc.)
Household Disaster Supplies Kit
Flashlight with extra batteries
Wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies
Sturdy work gloves and protective goggles
Heavy duty plastic bags for waste, and to serve as tarps, rain ponchos, and other uses
Portable radio with extra batteries
Additional flashlights or lightsticks
Drinking water (minimum one gallon per person, per day)
Canned and packaged foods
Manual can opener
First aid kit and handbook
Charcoal or gas grill for outdoor cooking and matches if needed
Cooking utensils, including a manual can opener
Pet food and pet restraints
Comfortable, warm clothing including extra socks
Blankets or sleeping bags, and perhaps even a tent
Copies of vital documents such as insurance policies
Fire extinguisher
Sealable plastic bags
Essential medications
Pet Disaster Supplies Kit
Medications and medical records (stored in a
waterproof container)
First aid kit
Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that your animals can't escape
Current photos of your pets in case they get lost
Food, potable water, bowls, cat litter/pan, and
manual can opener
Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets
Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable
-- Emergency Survival Program
The city follows the county's Emergency Operation Plan, which includes strategies and guidelines when responding to a large disaster.
In the event of a big disaster, the city sets up American Red Cross shelters at Colton community centers such as the Gonzales Center, 670 Colton Ave.; Hutton Center, 660 Colton Ave.; and Luque Center, 202 E. O St.
Residents can call the Colton Fire Department or Emergency Services Coordinator Debra Kreske at (909) 370-5100.
Fire Chief Tom Hendrix and Emergency Services Coordinator Debra Kreske will be in charge of coordinating efforts in case of a natural disaster.
In the event of a big disaster, the city sets up American Red Cross shelters at Colton community centers such as the Gonzales Center, 670 Colton Ave.; Hutton Center, 660 Colton Ave.; and Luque Center, 202 E. O St.
Residents can call the Colton Fire Department or Emergency Services Coordinator Debra Kreske at (909) 370-5100.
Fire Chief Tom Hendrix and Emergency Services Coordinator Debra Kreske will be in charge of coordinating efforts in case of a natural disaster.
There is a projected $33 billion loss to unreinforced buildings in Southern California.
Woodframe construction generally fares well in earthquake shaking and woodframe buildings are less likely than other types of buildings to be damaged. However, because woodframe construction is so prevalent in California, substantial losses will still occur.
Woodframe building damage is most likely:
• in older homes where the house is not bolted to the foundation or the cripple wall is not reinforced.
• in buildings with a "soft first story" - a large opening such as garage door or display windows on the first floor and without compensating reinforcement.
• in buildings where building codes were not rigorously followed--a condition difficult to recognized until after the earthquake.
Woodframe construction generally fares well in earthquake shaking and woodframe buildings are less likely than other types of buildings to be damaged. However, because woodframe construction is so prevalent in California, substantial losses will still occur.
Woodframe building damage is most likely:
• in older homes where the house is not bolted to the foundation or the cripple wall is not reinforced.
• in buildings with a "soft first story" - a large opening such as garage door or display windows on the first floor and without compensating reinforcement.
• in buildings where building codes were not rigorously followed--a condition difficult to recognized until after the earthquake.
The economic impact of the earthquake is not limited to the structures and goods broken or burnt in the event.
Much of the economic activity of Southern California will be interrupted by the damage to structures and infrastructure. In particular, beyond their direct losses in stock (such as buildings, machines, and inventory), businesses will be unable to function because of loss of electricity, gas, water and a transportation system.
Some of the losses can be recaptured when the business resumes but the amount recaptured decreases with time as customers and suppliers find alternatives. Because the duration of outage is so long, the lack of water conveyance becomes the largest factor in business interruption losses for the ShakeOut earthquake, resulting in $50 billion in lost economic activity.
Much of the economic activity of Southern California will be interrupted by the damage to structures and infrastructure. In particular, beyond their direct losses in stock (such as buildings, machines, and inventory), businesses will be unable to function because of loss of electricity, gas, water and a transportation system.
Some of the losses can be recaptured when the business resumes but the amount recaptured decreases with time as customers and suppliers find alternatives. Because the duration of outage is so long, the lack of water conveyance becomes the largest factor in business interruption losses for the ShakeOut earthquake, resulting in $50 billion in lost economic activity.
To read the entire 312-study put together by more than 300 scientists, check out http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1150/of2008-1150small.pdf.
Reporter Stacia Glenn at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton said there are no employee or patient injuries at the hospital. There is minor building damage to the third-floor patient unit, where there is a broken wall and burst pipe, hospital spokesman Jorge Valencia tells her.
The floor has been evacuated, and everyone has been moved to the north building.
The hospital has received 49 patients, 15 to intensive car, 32 needing surgery and two of those have been sent to the burn unit.
The hospital has put out a call for all medical personnel to come in and help treat patients. Personnel should bring their medical licenses to the medical cafe area.
The hospital has also set up an employee assistance area with babysitting and a shuttle service to pick up employees who need a ride.
Employees should call (909) 456-7891 if they need a ride.
- The Sun and Bulletin newspapers are covering the Great Southern California Shakeout drill as if it were a real-time event. You are reading about simulated disaster events from various local areas and the agencies that cover them. What you have read are practice drills held by fire, police and local hospitals.
The floor has been evacuated, and everyone has been moved to the north building.
The hospital has received 49 patients, 15 to intensive car, 32 needing surgery and two of those have been sent to the burn unit.
The hospital has put out a call for all medical personnel to come in and help treat patients. Personnel should bring their medical licenses to the medical cafe area.
The hospital has also set up an employee assistance area with babysitting and a shuttle service to pick up employees who need a ride.
Employees should call (909) 456-7891 if they need a ride.
- The Sun and Bulletin newspapers are covering the Great Southern California Shakeout drill as if it were a real-time event. You are reading about simulated disaster events from various local areas and the agencies that cover them. What you have read are practice drills held by fire, police and local hospitals.
Electric power will go out immediately but will be restored to 90 percent of those capable of receiving it within three days.
Pipeline damage causes the loss of piped drinking water in much of the most strongly shaken areas for a week or more.
Telecommunications are severely impacted as a result of heightened demand after the earthquake, and to a limited extent because of damage to telephone switching facilities and fiber-optic cables.
Between 100,000 and 200,000 addresses lose phone and Internet service for between two to five days.
Pipeline damage causes the loss of piped drinking water in much of the most strongly shaken areas for a week or more.
Telecommunications are severely impacted as a result of heightened demand after the earthquake, and to a limited extent because of damage to telephone switching facilities and fiber-optic cables.
Between 100,000 and 200,000 addresses lose phone and Internet service for between two to five days.
Given the severity of the damage, the numbers of deaths, and the large portion of the population that would need to evacuate their homes for a period of time, it is estimated that more than 200,000 individuals would experience a new mental health disorder.
In San Bernardino County, experts said 68,743 residents would suffer from disorders like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
In San Bernardino County, experts said 68,743 residents would suffer from disorders like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
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