From bandages to body bags, EC is well prepared if a major
earthquake were to occur on campus, Rocky Bonura, director
of safety and health said.
“We have concrete cutting materials, barbecues to feed the
masses if we need to, water supplies, axes, stretchers and any-
thing medical,” Bonura said.
There are also building captains assigned, who are indi-
viduals who have been chosen for their leadership skills, to be
trained to handle emergency situations. Each building cap-
tain’s primary job is to evacuate everyone safely.
“I think it’s cool that we have building captains, it makes
me feel safer knowing that there are individuals assigned to
have control because I’m sure a lot of people would panic,”
Claudia Marquez, 23, cosmetology major, said.
There are also evacuation signs, as required by law, in every
building, every floor and every doorway.
Marquez said that she has seen the signs, however, she has
not really taken the time to read them.
Bonura said that the key for everyone is to prepare now
because you never know when an earthquake could happen.
He encourages everyone to read the signs, participate in the
drills and have things they’ll need ready.
Though many precautions have been taken for the after-
an actual earthquake.
“I’m as prepared as they have gotten us, but I’m a night in-
structor and we haven’t participated in one (earthquake drill).
They don’t do them at night,” Vivian Nimi, cosmetology in-
structor, said.
Earthquake drills are done annually. However, Nimi said
that she “would like to see maybe two done a year and one at
night, for sure.”
Bonura said today the campus teaches the “duck, cover and
hold” method and does not teach the “getting under the door-
way” method anymore.
“People have gotten hurt because of the doors swinging
back and forth and it’s a heavy structure,” Bonura said.
Bonura said that there are a lot of Web sites that have in-
formation that will tell people how to plan in case of an earth-
quake.
“Absorb the information, get the type of gear you’ll need
or food you’ll need and keep a trash can full of this stuff away
from a building at home, because you are going to be on your
own for at least three days,” Bonura said. “The local resources
are going to be overwhelmed, so you have to plan to take care
of yourself.”
“I think they should be more out there trying to get people
aware what to do in case of the earthquake because not one knows,” Dyetta Smith, 20, undecided major, said.