Earthquakes A Hot Topic During Emergency Preparedness Forum

PALM DESERT – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Cal Fire and American Red Cross preached preparedness. They also sold emergency kits and other supplies we need when a disaster hits.

“There’s some that are very well prepared and so that are planning to prepare when they get around to it and it runs the gamut,” says Mike Price, Chief Technical Officer with Seismic Warning Systems Inc.

It’s certainly the case for these people. Chris Linebeerger gets a good look at emergency supplies. He’ll need them.

“Go get gallons of water, food supplies and I know I get a house phone for it to respond to my house also,” says Linebeerger.

Then there’s Marilyn Marshall. She’s already interested in emergency preparedness and wants to share what she knows with her neighbors.

“I like to organize a small team and use the information I acquired here to prepare for an earthquake or whatever,” says Marshall.

It’s not just preparing for the aftermath of a disaster. Now there’s a way to prepare before. “CREWS,” the Coachella Valley Regional Earthquake warning system, will give a ten to 30 second warning before a quake strikes. There’re 12 of them in fire stations throughout the valley. Local schools will be the next group to use the system.

“It will be connected to the P.A. System to produce an audio alert within the school to cause the kids to follow their drop, cover, roll training and get underneath their desks,” says Marshall.

News Channel 3 has partnered with “CREWS” to help educate the public on the use of an early warning system, and to insure the project will be a success.

“Any second will help, you know. As long as your aware of what’s happening and got to prepare. Two seconds is better than none,” says Linebeeger.

Price says he expects the system to be online within the next 18 to 24 months. He says it will be paid for with donations.