Supervisors Duck for Cover in Quake-Preparedness Drill
Never before has an action by Gov. Pete Wilson prompted such a dramatic response by members of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.
At the sound of Wilson’s voice on a live broadcast from Sacramento during their Tuesday meeting, the five supervisors and county Chief Administrative Officer Richard Wittenberg ducked for cover under the board’s dais.
Board chairwoman Susan Lacey explained to a confused audience that the supervisors had agreed to participate in an earthquake- preparedness drill, which included a shrill alarm and a 30-second live message from the governor on the state’s Emergency Broadcast System.
Throughout April, officials with the county office of emergency services will conduct presentations at schools and retirement homes in observance of Earthquake Preparedness Month.
Tuesday’s drill was intended to increase awareness of the state’s radio broadcast system, which was created during World War II.
Afterward, Supervisor John K. Flynn joked: “I think the governor was just trying to prove how much control he has over local government.”
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