Students drop, seek cover during California earthquake ‘shakeout’
At 10:17 a.m. Thursday, students at Rosemont Elementary School in Echo Park jumped under their desks as a simulated earthquake drill ensued and they followed firefighters’ orders to drop, cover and hold on.
Some of the students had fake injuries -- gashes to their legs and arms and blood painted on their faces -- and firefighters rushed to them, gauging their injuries and carrying some of them away to safety.
“What’s your name? Where are you hurt?” the firefighters asked.
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The drill was part of the preparation for the ever-looming “Big One” and part of the Great California ShakeOut -- a day of drills involving millions of people across the state.
“Are you going to help your families get ready for the big earthquake?” Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell asked an assembly full of fourth and fifth graders at the school.
“Yes!” The students shouted in response.
FULL COVERAGE: California earthquake safety
The drill was designed to stage situations that could occur during a large earthquake, such as blocked access, trapped and injured victims, and fire, organizers said. More than 9 million people were registered to participate in drills throughout California.
Earthquake safety officials passed out earthquake kits to students and brought in an earthquake simulator. Designed like the inside of a living room, the simulator shakes the room violently as if an earthquake is hitting.
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