Quake-ready California can point the way for China

• Source: Global Times
• [21:14 April 22 2010]
• Comments

By Sun Weichi

In response to a recent spate of earthquakes worldwide, including the one in Yushu in Qinghai Province on April 14, Los Angeles firefighters held an earthquake simulation and rescue drill Monday.

There was a vivid simulation of the impact of a magnitude 8.0 earthquake, showing overturned trains and broken highways.

Heavy equipment, rescue dogs and other emergency rescue teams were all involved in removing hazardous materials and urban search and rescue.

"You cannot stop earthquakes, but proper individual reactions to earthquakes can prevent harm," said an expert with the US Geological Survey California Field Office. Earthquake rescue drills hinge on how prepared the residents are for earthquakes.

California is a famously earthquake-prone area. Everybody in the state lives under the shadow of "the big one," the possibility of an above 7.0 earthquake that would wreck cities throughout the region.

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake was one of the worst natural disasters in US history.

The Californian state government has thus been prompted to take various measures to prepare for a possible major earthquake.

California also attaches great importance on outreach programs to educate the public with earthquake knowledge. For example, students are required to prepare first-aid kits with the necessary medicines, food and water, and to identify their emergency contact information.

Holding regular and practical emergency drills has significant effects in minimizing the loss caused by unexpected events.

There was a much-praised example during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. A primary school had held rescue drills before, so the students successfully escaped from the earthquake in full accordance with their routine training. The school principal who hurried back from another place was moved to tears by this successful escape. A similar case occurred in the Yushu quake.

According to the Emergency Regulations of Destructive Earthquake published by the State Council, emergency agencies and response plans are fully established.

China has also established a basic disaster information platform connected with the central government, provinces, cities and counties.