Walnut Valley Students Drop, Take Shelter during California Earthquake Drill

The following news release is courtesy of the Walnut Valley Unified School District.

At 10:17 a.m. the earthquake alarm sounded at Diamond Bar High School.

Students and staff members were prepared to take action because they knew Thursday was the Great Shakeout Drill.

On cue, they immediately dropped and took cover under their desks and tables, and held on to something sturdy until the alarm ended.

Then the classes went to three designated areas around the campus to take roll call. 

The school also practiced their emergency response plans with a search and rescue and medical evaluation drills.

“The search and rescue, as well as triage teams did an excellent job.  Their coordinated efforts allowed us to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Our staff and students are to be commended on a job well done!” said Assistant Principal John Terry. 

Eric Gossett, the school’s operations manager was instrumental in setting up the event, Terry added.

“It’s imperative that we have drills such as this with our responsibility of caring for our students and making sure they have a safe and healthy learning environment,” Gossett explained. 

“These drills helps us see what our needs are and address them to make sure we are providing all that we can,” he said.

The drill began as the Great California ShakeOut in 2008, but now the annual earthquake drill has gone worldwide. 

More than 24 million people, including 9 1/2 million in California, signed up for the 2013 drill.

All 14 Walnut Valley schools and the district office took part in the Shakeout. 

“Everyone should know how to protect themselves during an Earthquake. And the Great Shakeout drill is an important lesson to help keep our students safe,” said Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Jeanette Ullrich.