TODAY: 'Major earthquake' to rock Cal State San Bernardino

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SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - Cal State San Bernardino will be one of many agencies throughout California that will participate in the statewide Golden Guardian 2009 earthquake exercise on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 9 a.m.

The university, which is located less than a mile from the San Andreas Fault, will use the exercise to help prepare the campus for such an event.

The scenario is based on a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the southern section of the San Andreas Fault. CSUSB faculty, staff and students on campus on Oct. 15 will be asked to respond as if this were an actual occurrence. Those people inside a building will "duck, cover and hold on," as per the university's emergency plan, while people outside will move to a clearing away from buildings, power lines or trees.

The exercise is part of a state-wide drill called the "Great California ShakeOut."

A panel of 200 scientists, engineers and economic experts collaborated to create a realistic picture of the type of earthquake California can expect in the foreseeable future.

"An earthquake of this magnitude will, in all probability, sever all lifelines to and from the San Bernardino area, including water, electricity, gas, fiber-optics, telecommunications, road and railways, and result in extensive damage throughout the region," said Don Soderbloom, CSUSB's emergency manager.

Campus officials plan to test new and existing emergency communication systems during the earthquake exercise, sending sample messages through text messaging, voice messages, public address announcements, e-mail and Web site notices.

"Our participation in this statewide training exercise is intended to increase awareness on the part of faculty, staff and students of the fault's potential for disaster and reinforce steps that can and should be taken before, during and after an earthquake to increase the chances for survival," Soderbloom said.

The exercise will be completed within a minute and normal activities will resume, except for at the John M. Pfau Library, where university officials will conduct an evacuation exercise in response to a simulated building collapse with injuries. The San Bernardino Fire Department and AMR ambulance company will participate, along with the university's first responders. The exercise will focus on coordination, integration of capabilities and problem resolution.

Following the earthquake exercise, Cal State San Bernardino will host an Emergency Management Expo. The event will take place on the Pfau Library mall from 1 to 5 p.m. Local first responders representing police, fire, EMS and public health will participate, as will the American Red Cross and a number of emergency preparedness vendors. The event is open to the public.

For more on the state-wide drill, go to shakeout.org.

For more information, contact Cal State San Bernardino's Office of Public Affairs at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.

Cal State San Bernardino will be one of many agencies throughout California that will participate in the statewide Golden Guardian 2009 earthquake exercise on Thursday, Oct. 15.