Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Increases Awareness of Earthquake Preparedness

Students across Norwalk-La Mirada Unified’s 17 elementary, six middle and three high schools followed safety drills to “Drop, Cover and Hold!” on Oct. 20 as part of the annual Great ShakeOut, a statewide initiative that reminds Californians to prepare for earthquakes.

“One of our District’s priorities is to ensure that we provide a safe environment for our students,” Superintendent Dr. Hasmik Danielian said. “This includes ensuring our students, teachers, administrators and staff know what to do in the event of an emergency so that we are fully prepared should something happen.”

Starting at 10 a.m., Norwalk-La Mirada Unified participated in an earthquake drill as part of the Great ShakeOut. Leading up to the drill, administrators reinforced emergency procedures with students, including finding appropriate cover to prevent objects from injuring them, where to go for safety and where to find first aid kits in the classroom.

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified staff also reviewed emergency protocols, including procedures to check student and teacher absences, how to handle injuries on campus and what roles each staff member has during the drill. District schools also emphasized the importance of earthquake preparedness at school, work and home.

“It is important for our students to understand what to do in case of an emergency at school with their peers and also at home with their family,” NLMUSD Board of Education President Karen Morrison said. “The Great ShakeOut was a great opportunity to remind our students to be prepared wherever they are.”

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified holds fire, earthquake and lockdown drills throughout the school year. Principals send monthly updates that include safety tips to inform parents on what they can do at home to prepare in the event of an emergency.

PHOTOS:

102016_NLMUSD_SHAKEOUT1: A Corvallis Middle School teacher leads her classroom to the school’s blacktop area as part of a statewide earthquake drill, the Great ShakeOut, on Oct. 20.

102016_NLMUSD_SHAKEOUT2: Corvallis Middle School administrators check in teachers, students and staff during the statewide earthquake drill, the Great ShakeOut, on Oct. 20, to review safety drill procedures.