Pasadena City College joined the 10.4 million Californians who participated in the Shake Out earthquake drill event on Thursday that simulates the proper response to a devastating quake.
On the morning of the Shake Out drill, PCC students in the Shatford Library were instructed to duck down under a table, cover their heads and hold on—“duck, cover and hold.” Some students did follow instructions but many others ignored them and continued the normal pace of their lives.
Student Adela Gamboa, who was in the library during the drill, was unimpressed with the response.
“I don’t think PCC would be ready when a real earthquake arrives, no one took this seriously, ” Gamboa said.
A lot of staff and students failed to take part in the drill, which left professor Bryan Wilbur concerned.
“I don’t even think many of your readers even have an earthquake kit prepared,” said Wilbur. Wilbur emphasized how crucial earthquake kits are for surviving the aftermath of a quake.
When earthquakes hit, debris could plummet everywhere, leaving people vulnerable to get trapped in places like classrooms and houses.
“Classrooms in particular are especially dangerous because [there’s] so much loose material,” said Wilbur. “Ideally you just want to be under he biggest most sturdiest object you can find, but personally I’d like to be in an open plain with no buildings or large objects around. Air borne debris is what is the most dangerous.”
Randon Flores, a PCC geology student and tutor, predicts “that roads and paths that are used to bring resources like food could be destroyed” during the earthquake. So having a lot of water and plenty of high calorie, non-perishable food in your earthquake kits can increase chances of survival.
Issac Park, another geology student, believes it would also be convenient to have a hand-cranked radio for communication and heavy-duty gloves “just in case someone is stuck under rubble and needs aid and a first aid kit.”
Wilbur recommends having identification with you and a change of clothes and shoes.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the likelihood or probability of an earthquake in the Los Angeles area with a magnitude of at least a 6.7 is 93 percent within the next three decades.
ABC News reported that scientists are expecting damages that are “on par with the Sept. 11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina” in the event of a major quake.
Wilbur suggests mapping out your home so you can shut off gas valves in an emergency.
“San Francisco’s fires from the 1906 earthquake were caused by the gas valves,” he said.
For more information on earthquake safety and a further extensive list for items recommended in your kit, visit earhtquakecountry.net.
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