GLENDALE : Seminar Set on Quake Readiness in Schools

The teachers, principals and administrators of Glendale’s public and private schools will return to the classroom this week to learn how to make their campuses more earthquake-safe.

Beginning today, the Glendale Fire Department is sponsoring a three-day workshop focusing on quake readiness for all schools and day-care centers in the city.

Organizers said Tuesday that more than 150 teachers, administrators, staff members and parent volunteers are expected to attend the workshop, which will be taught by instructors from UCLA Extension and officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“This is a complete A to Z of earthquake preparedness as it pertains to school sites,” said Gerald Shamburg, the city’s emergency services coordinator. “It’s intended to provide (officials) with the skills to put an effective disaster plan together for a school site. It’s not just, ‘Strap your water heater to the wall.’ ”

Shamburg said the program not only will focus on what needs to be done to make schools more quake-ready, but also on laws relating to emergency plans, the probability of a major temblor, development of evacuation plans, reducing hazards in the classroom and other issues.

City officials said the workshop was planned in response to statewide concerns about the safety of schools and hospitals following the Northridge earthquake.

The event will also include presentations by Glendale Fire Chief Richard Hinz and the Fire Department’s urban search-and-rescue team, organizers said. The workshop will be held at the Glendale Civic Auditorium.