November 13, 2008 - Over 5.2 million Southern Californians dropped, covered and held on during the massive SoCal Shakeout Drill held across the Golden State this morning.  The exercise, which simulated a 7.8 magnitude earthquake along the San Andreas Fault in Southern California, tested the response and communication systems of over 5000 first responders from more than 100 federal, state, and local agencies.

Participants throughout the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, Imperial, San Bernardino, and their cities, took part in safety and evacuation drills, including simulated fire/rescue scenarios.  Students at Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills reenacted a major collapse of the high school, resulting in more than 400 victims and several fatalities.  The Los Angeles Fire Department and Holy Cross Hospital deployed personnel in a mock rescue demonstration and set up several practice medical triages.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger attended the drill and was very impressed with the response. “We have some of the best emergency responders in the world,” he said.  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa echoed his sediments. “This collaboration represents government at its best.”

U.S. Geological Survey Chief Scientist Lucy Jones reminded everyone we are all in this together and urged residents from across the state to “take at least one more step this weekend to be a little more prepared.”

In the event of a real-life disaster, residents may call the Information Center Phone Lines: L.A. County 323-881-2413 and L.A. City 800-439-2909 for more information.  For more tips on how to prepare your family for a major earthquake, please visit The Great Southern California ShakeOut website at shakeout.org.