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Biola University and La Mirada Full Scale Earthquake Drill

October 16, 2014, 4 am - 12 pm, Exercise at Biola University

Event Location:
Biola University
13301 University Drive
La Mirada, CA 90639 (Map)

Event Contact:
Ken Kondo, County of Los Angeles Office of Emergency Management, kkondo@ceooem.lacounty.gov, (323) 980-2267

No contact information available.


Summary:
Full scale earthquake preparedness joint exercise by Biola University, La Mirada, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department. CERT Teams respond to the University to assess damage. 50 students with simulated injuries. Fire Department summoned. Exercise include Drop, Cover and Hold On drills, The Big Shaker earthquake simulator, other emergency response vehicles. Press Conference at 9 am at the site.


Full Description:
CITY OF LA MIRADA AND BIOLA UNIVERSITY TO HOST KEY

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GREAT CALIFORNIA SHAKEOUT EVENT ON OCT. 16.



Southeast Los Angeles County will serve as the “Epicenter” of activities for Los Angeles area media for

the 2014 Great California ShakeOut (ShakeOut) being held in the City of La Mirada on Thursday,

October 16.



The City of La Mirada and Biola University will host a full-scale exercise as Biola Campus Safety, Los

Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD), City of La Mirada Public Safety and Community Emergency

Response Teams respond to a simulated 6.7 magnitude earthquake centered on the Whittier Fault that

causes significant damage to the Biola University campus. The Whittier Fault triggered the 5.1

magnitude La Habra Earthquake on March 28.



The 2014 ShakeOut activities begin at 4 a.m. with the Ready America “Big Shaker” earthquake

simulator that will be available to media throughout the morning for television news reporters and

weathercasters. A ShakeOut press conference is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. featuring invited guests

speakers from Federal, State, County, Non-Government Organizations and earthquake experts. At 9:40

a.m., the City of La Mirada and Biola University ShakeOut full-scale exercise will start. At 10 a.m. the

City of La Mirada will conduct a “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill followed immediately with the activation

of its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which will receive a call for assistance from the Biola

University Emergency Response Team. Within minutes, LACoFD will arrive on scene at Biola University,

and conduct Urban Search and Rescue and triage operations highlighted by students made up with a

wide range of moulage injuries. At 11:30 a.m., the City of La Mirada EOC will experience a simulated

aftershock, where first responders and EOC staff will participate in another “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”

drill. The full-scale exercise is scheduled to conclude at 12 noon.



Parking for the media vehicles will be located at 13301 University Drive/Oakwood Lane entrance, just off

of La Mirada Boulevard, approximately 250 yards from the La Mirada City Hall and EOC. Car parking

will be available via the same campus entrance in Parking Lot K (4th and 5th Floor levels). Please refer to

attached aerial photograph for all Biola University ShakeOut activity locations.



Now in its seventh year, The Great California ShakeOut provides organizations, schools, businesses,

government offices and agencies, first responders, emergency managers, and general public with the

opportunity to practice the essential life saving “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” immediate response to an

earthquake, and to focus on initiating or reviewing their earthquake emergency plans and preparations.

This year a record number of more than 10 million Californians have registered in advance and will be

joined by an additional 15-plus million people representing more than 45 states and territories that will

participate in this year’s The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills.



If media members require special accommodations, please contact OEM Ken Kondo at 213-792-5128.






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The Great California ShakeOut