Los Angeles Officials Encourage Earthquake Safety
The signs, produced jointly by the city in coalition with the American Red Cross and the United States Geological Survey, also include basic instructions for what to do after an earthquake.
City officials are asking residents to put the signs in their windows after any type of large-scale disaster to help first-responders efficiently treat those with the most serious injuries first.
If the “HELP” sign is displayed in the event of an emergency, first responders will contact firefighters to bring further aid. Councilman Mitchell Englander, chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee, said the coalition plans to distribute 50,000 copies of the signs.
The Northwest San Fernando Valley council district also includes Northridge, the epicenter of the region’s devastating 1994 earthquake.
“We're at the epicenter of major disasters, so we know it is not a question of if, but when the big one will strike,”' Englander said. “Just like an earthquake survival kit, the OK/HELP sign should be in every home.”
The annual ShakeOut event will take place at 10:18 a.m. on Thursday.
According to ShakeOut organizers, around 8.6 million Californians participated last year. More than 9 million are expected to take part this year.
“Together, scientists, policy-makers, emergency planners and community members share the goal of increasing our ability to survive and quickly recover from a major earthquake,” USGS seismologist Lucy Jones said.
“The community needs to be involved in preparedness, and knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath of a major quake is an important step.”
Information on the ShakeOut drill and resources on earthquake preparedness can be found on their website.
