MARCHELLE MCCONNELL
Staff Writer
Monday’s four minor earthquakes of 1.9 and 2.3 magnitudes west of Chatsworth, 3.0 magnitude near Snata Monica and of 1.4 magnitude west of Wrightwood reminded Southern California residents of a recent U.S. Geological Survey predicting that a 7.5 magnitude earthquake will hit Malibu in the next
30 years.
With the diversity of Pepperdine students from throughout the United States and abroad, many students are unaware of earthquake precautions and safety tips. Others express their concern over Pepperdine’s preparedness for a catastrophic earthquake.
“As a Texan, I was not taught earthquake safety,” freshman Brooke Stadler said. “I really have no idea what to do if an earthquake hits.”
Malibu is located along the Puente Hills fault line that has been predicted to produce an earthquake larger that the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Northridge was a 6.7- magnitude quake that caused $15 billion in damages and took 60 lives. The USGS predicts that damages from a Puente Hills earthquake could cost $250 billion. Fatalities could range anywhere from 3,000 to 8,000 residents.
Courtney Stallings, a member of the Disaster Plan Committee for Pepperdine, is also a trained Emergency Response Team (ERT) member on campus.
“Pepperdine is the safest place to be in Malibu,” Stallings said in the case of a natural disaster.
Stallings described her job as keeping panic controlled in the midst of chaos. She serves as a liaison between the city of Malibu, the campus faculty and staff and Pepperdine students. During a natural disaster, Stallings is one of the ERT members who relay messages to campus during a crisis. She said she advises campus authorities of actions to implement in the instance of any natural disasters.
Pepperdine ERT personnel also give advice from the emergency booklet, regarding what to do after an earthquake.
•Once the shaking has stopped, go outside and stay clear of possible hazards, such as power lines, trees and buildings.
•Locate a Residential Advisor (RA), ERT member or educational center coordinator, who is the person in charge of each building if something like an earthquake were to happen.
•Expect the Department of Public Safety to direct you to a safe location until buildings are approved as safe to re-enter.
A precaution Pepperdine has taken is the installation of ERT barrels, which are located in every building. These emergency barrels contain a three-day supply of medical materials, food, water and a digging tool. Along with the ERT barrels, residential adviser’s (RA) and spiritual life advisers (SLA) have received natural disaster training, according to Stallings.
Robert McKelvy, DPS deputy director encouraged students to individually prepare for such events.
“Emergency preparedness starts by pre-planning for such events,” McKelvy said.
Malibu is an area prone to earthquakes, brush fires and mudslides, therefore McKelvy advises students to be familiar with the 2005-2006 Pepperdine University Disaster Awareness Pamphlet, which can be found on PepXpress or at One Stop.
McKelvy said each student should assemble a personal emergency supply kit. When stocking the kit, include enough provisions for three to seven days, and the best places to store the emergency kit is in your car, home or office, he said.
Students also emphasize preparedness.
“An earthquake that size would be incredibly disastrous,” said 1994 Northridge earthquake survivor, freshman Ryan Phillips, “is Pepperdine prepared?” Phillips said she questions the university’s ability to react rapidly to a catastrophic emergency. She said more drills need to be conducted to make faculty, students and families better prepared for emergencies.
11-01-2005