For the October 18th Great California ShakeOut, 24 Pomona Host Lions and one guest dove under the tables at the Pomona Valley Mining Company, practicing the “Drop, Cover and Hold On,” which is the recommended action when a large earthquake hits. Members, ranging from their 20s to 80, took cover and remained there for 30 seconds. According to the club’s Disaster Preparedness Chairman Steve Storbakken, in a real quake, people may have to remain for more than four times that long.
Prior to the drill, Storbakken spoke to the club about preparing for a catastrophic California earthquake and about the progress being made on an early warning system. Storbakken is the Director of Environmental Safety and Disaster Resource Center Coordinator for the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and formerly was the Emergency Preparedness Director of the American Red Cross Rancho Region.