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Valencia High To Host Earthquake Info Panel

Learn firsthand from first responders how to survive the Big One that expected anytime.

The William S.
Hart Union High
School District, will host a Disaster
Preparedness Summit at 7 p.m. Tuesday,
October 28, in the gym at Valencia High
School and the public is invited to attend.

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The purpose of this summit will be to bring together all the
first responders and vital links under one roof, and to share with the schools
and parents the services they can provide after a major earthquake.

 

Geologist Mark Benthien from the U.S. Geological Survey,
Office of Educational Outreach, will kick off the meeting with some very
informative facts that all Santa Clarita Valley residents will want to hear.

 

Each participating organization will be given a short time
to share their response with the audience, followed by a question and answer
period. The event will be filmed and aired on Channel 20 to create community
awareness.

 

This summit is the Hart District's prelude to their
participation in the "Great Southern California Shake Out," developed
by a team of scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey. During the week of
November 12-16, there will be a variety of special events, highlighted by the
largest earthquake drill in U.S.
history, at 10 a.m. on Thursday,
November 13.

 

Individuals, families, the City, businesses, schools and
organizations will join our firefighters, police officers, and other emergency
responders in this earthquake preparedness activity.

 

For more information about these events call Bob Weber at (661)
510-2969 or e-mail at rfw@hartdistrict.org.
You can also log on to www.shakeout.org .

 

In addition, parents should be aware of school procedures in the event of an earthquake. Here are some FAQs from the Hart District. 

 

Does the school have a disaster plan?

    Yes. It is
the Standardized Incident Management System (SIMS) and National Emergency Management
System (NEMS), which are emergency response processes, required by the Homeland
Security Presidential Directive. This directive ensures a consistent nationwide
approach for all governmental agencies to work together with a common,
recognizable plan that is standardized for all. These plans are located on the
school’s website and are sent home in the school newsletter each year. Copies
of these plans are available at each site, upon request.

 What immediate actions are taken by the school when an
earthquake occurs?
   

– Teacher will:

  • Implement DROP, COVER, HOLD
  • Follow the
    Emergency Action Plan, by taking the roll book and Emergency Backpack and
    escort the class, (when safe), to a pre-designated evacuation route Emergency
    Assembly Area posted at the classroom door.
  • Take roll and send
    accountability report with runner to the Command Post.

The emergency response team will:

  • Set up a Command Post
    and First Aid Station
  • Deploy the Search and Rescue Team
  • Establish a
    Student Reunion/ Release Gate.

How will students be cared for in your absence?

Each school has disaster bins that are stocked with food,
water, first aid supplies and emergency response equipment. In addition,
depending on the severity of the event, many of our sites will be designated as
Red Cross Centers, with all of their support and professional services.

 

How will parents be reunited with their
sons/daughters?

Students will
be released to their parents or an authorized adult listed on the student’s
Emergency Card, at the school’s Student Release Station. Parents or their
designated representative will be asked to present identification before the
student is released to him/her.

 

How will parents get an updated status report on the
conditions of their son’s/daughter’s school

  • Parents will receive a telephone “Connect Message” with
    updated conditions and school plans.
  • Local radio station, KHTS AM1220, will have updated
    information on our local schools, as well as other vital conditions throughout
    the Santa Clarita Valley.
  • When possible, each
    school website will report pertinent information.  

 

 

 

 

Valencia High To Host Earthquake Info Panel

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