Is Murrieta Ready for the Big One? MVUSD Hosting Community Earthquake Awareness Forum

One in every 20 California households is prepared in the event a natural disaster such as a major earthquake strikes, according to statistics provided recently to Murrieta City Council.

“That is problematic in that when the ‘Big One’ hits, there are going to be a lot of hungry, thirsty people,” Murrieta fire Chief Matt Shobert said during a Sept. 17 workshop meant to inform City Council members about the emergency protocols the Murrieta Fire Department has in place as well as assess the level of community preparedness.

“So the question we ask our community is: ‘Are we prepared?’”

To that end, Shobert is one of three speakers scheduled to address the community during an Oct. 2 earthquake awareness forum to be hosted by Murrieta Valley Unified School District, according to a news release.

Shobert will present citywide plans and family preparedness tips, while Kathleen Springer, senior curator of geological sciences for San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands, will provide a highly interactive and engaging presentation on earthquakes including the latest data and research on the San Andreas fault.

Springer will cover what is currently known about how earthquakes work and the impact a large quake is expected to have on the Murrieta Valley when the San Andreas fault ruptures.

Also speaking with be MVUSD Safe Schools Director Wayne Sakamoto, who will present information on the schools’ emergency readiness plans.

Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend the forum, which will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Murrieta Mesa High School, 24801 Monroe Ave., Murrieta.

The forum is being held prior to Murrieta Valley Unified’s participation in the Great California ShakeOut Drill. At 10:17 a.m. on Oct. 17, millions of people in homes, schools, businesses, government offices and public places all over southern California are expected to drop, cover and hold during the simulation of an earthquake.

“The ShakeOut Drill is an opportunity for students and staff to practice what to do when an earthquake strikes and know how to protect themselves and what steps to take afterwards,” said Karen Parris, spokeswoman for Murrieta Valley Unified.

All Murrieta residents were encouraged by Shobert to participate in the Oct. 17 drill. Families should also have a home emergency plan, meeting place, communication plan, and enough water, food and other necessities to last a minimum of 72 hours, the fire chief said.