This year, San Bernardino County participation in the Great California ShakeOut surpassed both the 2008 and the 2009 registration totals and the County saw more than 535,000 people participate.

The main public event was held at the San Bernardino County Museum and featured speakers California State Geologist Dr. John Parrish from the California Geological Survey and 3rd District County Supervisor Neil Derry spoke at the Museum. Hundreds of school children performed the Drop, Cover and Hold On Drill, followed by an earthquake preparedness fair in the museum’s courtyard with representatives from emergency agencies including an engine from San Bernardino County Fire Station 23, a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trailer provided by County Fire’s Office Of Emergency Services, and a new piece of equipment from CALTRANS. The fair included earthquake activities for children, including the “Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety” activity, as well as a public lecture at 11 a.m. on the “Science of the ShakeOut” by Senior Curator Kathleen Springer.

Since San Bernardino County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux is such a strong supporter of the Great California ShakeOut, he asked all County Departments to participate to improve their own response in the case of disaster, and employees all around the County dropped, covered and held on with the rest of California during the ShakeOut drill.

County Firefighters followed the Department’s earthquake procedures including evacuating and removing apparatus, meeting at the pre-designated safety zone, checking on immediate physical and emotional needs of employees, and establishing communications with dispatch center.

Radio Stations in the Inland Empire including KFROG, KOLA and KAT Country played the Earthquake sound effects and drill instructions at 10:21 a.m. on 10/21/10.

In addition, many cities and towns around the area performed their own Drop, Cover and Hold On drills and/or evacuation drills at 10:21 a.m. on 10/21/10.

All in all, as more and more people register for the Great California ShakeOut, the more prepared the region will be, and preparedness for the next ShakeOut – or The Big One – should start now. Visit www.daretoprepare.org or www.sbcfire.org/oes for Disaster Preparedness information.

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