Editorial Staff
With the earthquake in Haiti, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and earthquake, New Zealand earthquake and recent Japan tsunami and earthquake and a possible nuclear meltdown, are we ready for a disaster?
Japan is the most prepared nation in the world for tsunamis and earthquakes and look how fast it struck.
Last year an alarm went off at the Student Services Building; no one responded, and everyone just stood there.
The students and faculty of Pierce College are not prepared for man-made or natural disasters.
What would happen if there was an earthquake, or if a truck pulling toxic or nuclear waste tipped over on the freeway near Pierce, or any other unpredictable situations where peoples’ lives would be in mortal danger?
What would happen if a shooter, gang or terrorist group took control of the Pierce College campus? Would people run toward the sound of gunfire or away from it?
We are not prepared?
This inevitable situation is not being taken too seriously.
On a recent Pierce visit, Homeland security took a 360-degree video of the campus.
“Katrina was a wake-up call,” said Brian Keith, who was in charge of the group.
He expressed concern over Pierce’s readiness in a time of crisis.
He suggested having enough food, water and bedding for the entire campus to last for at least 72 hours.
What about the surrounding community? Would Pierce be used as an evacuation center in case of a catastrophic earthquake?
Student’s faculty, guests and employees need to be better informed. We need evacuation drills.
Each class should take the time to go over basic steps needed when such a situation arises.
Recently, there was an article in the Los Angeles Times about using millions of dollars in bond money that had been misappropriated on the Los Angeles Community College District’s (LACCD) build program.
It would take a minimal amount of money in comparison to make students at Pierce ready for any disaster.
This is an opportunity for the Pierce community to make a meaningful and lasting impression on the surrounding community.
Director of Plant Facilities Paul Nieman said the students’ need to be responsible and prepared.
“You have to be interested in your own personal safety, know your surroundings. Everyone has to take responsibility for themselves; don’t rely on someone else telling you what to do,” said Nieman.
It is a challenge to get to class with all the construction on campus. The blocked areas are constantly changing, too. The faculty should regularly brief their students on the maze of new footpaths around the construction.
“A lot of thought and planning has gone into being prepared and is constantly being worked on and updated,” said Nieman. “Every classroom has an emergency procedures booklet with evacuation routes. Stay calm, respond when notified about an evacuation, stay with your group, and go to the zone you are directed to.”
Students must take it upon themselves to prepare for such events. Faculty must be informed and stay updated on any changes in evacuation plans. The administration must put our own employees, students and visitors’ safety first.
It is your choice: hysterical confusion, death and destruction; or knowledge, preparedness, and safety.
This is the best investment of resources.
Medical personnel should hold forums to inform people of basic maneuvers that could save lives until the proper personnel arrive.
Stockpile food and water. Every student should be informed of the proper area to go to in case of such an emergency. People should have blankets, water and imperishable food in the trunk of their cars.
We must act now!
Expect the unexpected. It is not if it will happen, it is when it will happen.