A brochure provides a checklist highlighting the important questions and activities that should be addressed and undertaken as part of a school safety and preparedness program for earthquakes. It reminds administrators and other interested parties on what not to forget in preparing schools for earthquakes, such as staff knowledge needs, evacuation…

This document presents guidelines on emergency response and business recovery for colleges and universities in the event of an earthquake. The guidelines, developed by California institutions and revised based on experience with the Northridge earthquake, are provided under the following headings: (1) "To the President or Chancellor";…

Information to assist the school community develop and adapt a self-sufficient safety program for its school is presented in this workbook. Steps involved in the planning process are outlined in section 2. Section 3 describes how to estimate potential earthquake impact and how to identify hazards. The fourth section discusses what to expect and…

Lessons on earthquake safety involving planning, preparation, and practice are presented in this booklet for teachers. Included are classroom activities designed for K-6 students, teaching notes, "Learning Links" that summarize interdisciplinary connections, a set of 15 masters for reproducing transparencies, handouts, and worksheets.…

On May 2, 1983, Coalinga, California was rocked by an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter Scale. Since May, the Coalinga region has endured 8 aftershocks at 5.0 or larger on the Richter Scale, 30 shocks at 4.0 or larger, over 300 shocks at 3.0 or larger, and over 4,000 shocks at 2.0 and larger. From all known data on the faults of the region,…

A videotape that describes what earthquakes are, and examines the disaster planning schools can develop during the first few minutes following an earthquake to assure students and staff survive. The kinds of destruction likely to happen during a damaging earthquake are highlighted. The videotape stresses the need for children and staff to know…

Based on experience with the 1994 earthquake, staff members of California State University at Northridge offer advice on coping with the aftermath of a crisis. Suggestions focus on early information dissemination both on and off campus, follow-up communication, finding things to celebrate, and remaining flexible and psychologically prepared for…

Asserts that how people respond to risk is determined by how they perceive risk. Four-hundred and seven secondary school students answered questions concerning different dimensions of natural hazards (most likely to occur, loss of life, and others). Although the students possessed a high level of awareness much of their information was inaccurate.…

This publication is a guide for California colleges and universities wishing to prepare for earthquakes. An introduction aimed at institutional leaders emphasizes that earthquake preparedness is required by law and argues that there is much that can be done to prepare for earthquakes. The second section, addressed to the disaster planner, offers…

This report asserts that disaster preparedness at all school sites must become a major and immediate priority. Should a disaster equaling the magnitude of the Northridge earthquake occur, the current varying levels of site preparedness may not adequately protect California's children. The report describes why the state's children are not safe and…

Elementary and secondary schools deserve special attention with respect to seismic safety because of their special occupancy characteristics and their importance to immediate and long-term earthquake disaster relief and recovery efforts. Seismic safety provisions, when incorporated in a sound design from the very beginning, usually amount to only…

A staff development program at California State University at Long Beach trains faculty and other personnel to participate in earthquake-related search and rescue operations on campus if needed. Vendor-trained staff members prepared a campus training program in emergency operations, fire suppression and protection, casualty assessment, urban…

In October 1989-October 1991, Mills College (California) faced three crises: an earthquake; a strike over plans to convert to a coeducational institution; and a devastating fire in the area. The college has learned to focus its structural, human, political, and symbolic frames of reference; communicate; plan; consider the public; and develop…

This teacher package for grades 7-12 takes a broad approach in preparing students for earthquakes. "Hands-on/minds-on", inquiry-driven activities are balanced by library research and visits with disaster planning officials. Emphasis is placed on cooperative learning and the constructivist approach to teaching. Students not only study the…

The president of California State University, Northridge, at the time of the 1994 earthquake reflects on the decisions she made following the disaster, concluding that leadership in such a crisis is dependent on an individual's value system and that leadership is seen in performance, not position. Specific examples are discussed, including…