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  Date / Time: 11/13/2008 9:42 PM UTC

  Millions Take Part in Massive SoCal Earthquake Drill
  

  November 13, 2008

  LOS ANGELES -- An estimated 5.2 million people in Southern California took part in what's being billed as the largest mock earthquake disaster drill in U.S. history.

  The Great Southern California ShakeOut earthquake drill, which began at 10 a.m., centers on a hypothetical magnitude-7.8 earthquake that unzips the southern San Andreas Fault -- an event that scientists call the feared "Big One."

  The drill was intended to test the capabilities of local and state agencies and show Californians what they need to do to prepare for a major disaster.

  Researchers estimate such a quake would cause 1,800 deaths, 53,000 injuries and $200 billion in damage.

  Experts say the quake would have 50 times the intensity of the Northridge Earthquake of Jan. 17, 1994. 

  The minimum participation required people to dive for safety at the start of the drill.

  "What makes a natural disaster become a catastrophe?" said Lucy Jones with the California Geological Survey. "It's going to depend on how much our social system can hold together. When you get to the worst events you see the whole community fall apart."

  3 million students in Los Angeles and Riverside county schools were among the drill participants.

  At the start of the exercise, kids in classrooms could be seen diving under desks and holding onto them.

  After about a minute, the drill moved into aftermath mode, with people portraying quake victims.

  The simulation also assumed there would be 1,600 fires.  Los Angeles County  fire Chief P.  Michael Freeman said fire departments throughout the region were participating in response drills, including simulated events in which multiple people are injured, a building has collapsed, a hazardous materials situation has developed and fires have broken out in areas where responders have little or no water.
       
  "We clearly understand, given the predictability and magnitude of this earthquake, that public safety, fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical services and government will be overwhelmed," Freeman said.
       
  "We're doing our very best to test and evaluate and modify our procedures as necessary."
       
  The Los Angeles city Fire Department staged a drill in Mission Hills, simulating a building collapse on the campus of Bishop Alemany High School, with 300 to 500 students injured.

  The County Fire Department also conducted a similar building-collapse drill at the Miller/Coors Brewing Co. in Irwindale.

  Californians should be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours following an earthquake or other major disaster.

  That includes having a First Aid kit, medications, food and enough water for each member of a household to drink one gallon per day for at least 72 hours, according to local and state officials.
       
  Homeowners and renters should also know how to turn off the gas in their house or apartment, and keep sturdy shoes near their bed or in their car.
       
  "I can say without a doubt, Los Angeles is the best prepared city in America. That doesn't mean there isn't much more we can do," said Councilman Greig Smith.

  ----
  On the Net:
  ShakeOut Drill: http://www.shakeout.org/

  Surviving a Disaster: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1810315,00.html

  Coping With Traumatic Events: http://anxietyandstress.com/responsestotrauma.html
       

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