Caltech to Conduct Emergency Drill

PASADENA, Calif. — In recognition of Emergency Preparedness Month in April, the California Institute of Technology Safety Office is coordinating an emergency drill to determine the preparedness of the campus in the event of a major earthquake.

It will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. on April 22, and will begin at the north and south undergraduate dorms and will proceed to the Braun athletic field, across California Boulevard.

The drill, which may involve 300 to 500 students, is intended to test the campus's ability to evacuate students safely and to respond to medical emergencies when traditional emergency response personnel are unavailable. It will involve several "victims" who will be triaged and given first aid by student health advocates.

The scenario for the drill is that there has been a 7.5 earthquake near Pasadena, and that there has been structural damage to the student houses.

Observers from the Pasadena Fire Department and the American Red Cross will be on campus to evaluate the drill.

Caltech's Health Center, Residence Life, Security, Safety, and Physical Plant departments will participate.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Perry, Media Relations Director (626) 395-3226 [email protected]

Visit the Caltech media relations web site: http://pr.caltech.edu/media