With the recent Haitian earthquake and consequential 33 aftershocks, ranging from 4.2 to 5.9, that have left an estimated three million people in need of emergency aid, countless thousands feared dead and essentially ravaged the country’s infrastructure.’ ‘ It has many Cerritos college students in fear of the dreaded, ‘Big One.’

‘ I think it is a possibility if having a big earthquake since we have little ones all the time, I am definitely scared of having a big one, ‘ said Business and Administration major Melanie Villarreal.

To help disseminate useful information in case of an earthquake Cerritos College has developed an emergency information webpage. This web page functions entirely independent of the main Cerritos College site and can still be accessed if there is any type of damage to the campus and the campus page is down.

Using ‘In case of an emergency’ posters that are posted around campus and in every occupied classroom, the safety committee has utilized another way to give students important information regardless of where they may be on campus.

The posters clearly give an evacuation plan and directions of find your designated assembly area in case of an earthquake. The designated meeting places can all be recognized by a yellow sign that features three people meeting on them.’

Through the CCCCA disaster preparness training Cerritos College has implemented a specific systems that are also used world- wide.

This system has an elaborate team of building marshals’ and team leaders that are designated employees, whose main job is to make sure their building is clear of injured people and note if there is anything of major concern, like a gas leak or trapped people.

In the event that there is an injury it is the building marshall’s responsibility to communicate over radio to the Emergency Operations Center (E.O.C) this will ensure that help can reach the specific place in the shortest amount of time.

‘Something that we are doing is using common terminology that first responders use that way we standardize our emergency response,’ said Dr. Steven Johnson Vice President of student services.

‘ ‘I think throughout the years we have had adequate training on how to deal with earthquakes,’ said nursing major, Christina Black.

While there is a clear- cut plan of what to do in the event of an earthquake on campus, there are many different outlets that can help prevent total disaster here on campus. ‘ I urge for everyone to sign up for Alert-U and read the posters that are around campus, that tell students what to do in case of an earthquake,’ Dr. Steven Johnson added.

While there seems to be many precautions in place to help avoid disaster on campus, not all students are convinced.

‘ I don’t think Cerritos College is ready for an earthquake. I think students know what to do but I don’t think the buildings are strong enough,’ said Stephanie Zuniga Undecided Major.
‘