“I Didn’t Realize”
…Probably the most common comment during Willard’s Earthquake Preparedness Event
“That’s great information,” and “I didn’t realize that I shouldn’t go to a doorway,” or get out of a building during an earthquake, were the most common comments made by community members who visited the Utah Earthquake Simulation trailer from April 8th to 10th. Sue Anderson, who is the Willard CERT leader, and who organized the training in the community, also said that the new guidelines are “drop, cover, and hold on” when an earthquake happens and you are in a building. She says you drop to get lower than furniture so you are not hit. You then find cover for protection, and then you hold on.
More than 500 Willardites visited the Simulation trailer and the four roundtable stations set up and operated by the Willard CERT team during the three days the trailer was there. The State funded and provided the trailer which is moved around the State, according to Teri Fellenz at Willard City. The trailer is equipped with audio-visual equipment and a suspension that enable the 7 to 10 people that can be in the trailer at any one time to hear simulated earth groanings, and rumblings, and to feel the swaying like a real earthquake would cause. Three other stations in the roundtable rotation informed parents, students, families, Scouts, and young men and young women youth groups, including from local LDS wards, through practice situations, and through books, flyers, and handouts. Little kids colored in Red Cross coloring books while teenagers learned to program their phones for “in case of emergencies” and to use “Apps” on their phones.
Anderson said that there was great support from the CERT volunteer team, as well as from Willard City and the community. The trailer was open from 8 AM until 10 PM, and there were 4 or 5 CERT volunteers always present. Anderson says that all involved are “great folks” and a “great community.”
Pictures are of the Easter Egg hunt at the Willard City hall.
