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id you feel the earthquake on Easter Sunday? You probably did, given the fact that a 7.2 magnitude earthquake was recorded Sunday afternoon in Baja California, Mexico. The earthquake reached cities as far as San Diego, Las Vegas and even Phoenix. The strong activity caused minor damage to the immediate cities of Mexicali and Tijuana, as well as the border towns of Calexico and El Centro. KPBS stated that two deaths were reported in Northern Mexico and multiple fires broke out when gas lines split and propane tanks ruptured. The initial shock at 3:40 p.m. on Easter Sunday was subsequently followed by several aftershocks measuring above 5.0 magnitude affecting different regional faults throughout Sunday night and Monday morning.

It seems that disasters have been occurring all over the world lately. Emergency Evacuation drills and preparation are extremely important for students to know what to do if a disaster does occur. We might not expect the worst catastrophes to occur in San Diego, but with this past earthquake people should consider organizing an emergency evacuation plan for their families. If we are not ready for these disasters, there may be dreadful consequences if one happens to occur because we will not know how to handle the situation.

The CSMonitor.com stated that China recently faced a terrible earthquake that killed over 600 people. Rescue teams scrambled to reach survivors in the remote earthquake zone of China’s Qinghai Province, pulling 1,000 people out from the rubble while coping with a lack of heavy equipment, damaged and blocked roads, and high altitude. One day after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Yushu County, the death toll had risen to 617 people. Some 9,000 people were injured, 300 missing, and 100,000 homeless.

We have all heard about the disastrous earthquake in Haiti, and how it has killed over 230,000 people. At a magnitude of 7.3, people all over Haiti were unprepared for this kind of catastrophe to happen.  Chile suffered a magnitude 8.8 earthquake, and many wonder why the earthquake in Haiti damaged more buildings and destroyed more lives than the earthquake in Chile. The reasons are simple: Chile was prepared for earthquake emergency evacuation. Chilean architects build their buildings to be earthquake-resistant just in case devastation like this happens. The idea is that reinforced concrete columns, which are strengthened by a steel frame, hold up buildings better than the way many structures were built in Haiti, as stated in the NewYorkTimes.com

Many Lincoln High students do not take emergency evacuation drills as seriously as they should. Students may think these drills are unnecessary, but we need to be prepared if a disaster does occur. Mr. Joe Wiseman, principal of Science and Engineering, says, “Emergency evacuation drills are important so when a real emergency occurs, everyone will be ready and know where to go. Disasters do happen and we need to know how to approach them safely.” He also suggests that families at home should have their own safety emergency evacuation plan in case a disaster happens while at home.

We need to get together with our families to prepare a plan in case an earthquake or another catastrophe happens. These are some for the supplies you should gather beforehand for an emergency:

• You'll need food and water (a gallon a day per person);
• First Aid Kit
• Fire Extinguisher suitable for all types of fires
• Flashlights; a portable radio
• Extra batteries, blankets, clothes, shoes and money (ATMs may not work)
• Medication
• An adjustable pipe wrench to turn off gas or water, if necessary
• Baby and pet food
• An alternate cooking source (barbecue or camp stove)

This list can also be applied to other disasters, such as floods or wildfires. You and your family can find this information and more on www.oes.ca.gov/ (click on preparedness tab).

In order to provide safer grounds for our school, we all need to take the emergency evacuation drills seriously. In the past, students have tried to pull a prank by pulling the fire alarm and setting it off. The alarm does not only alert us, it alerts the fire department, which rushes to come over and ensure our safety. Our school staff struggles to get schedules back in order and continue with our regular day. Ms. Ana Alvarez, Principal of Public Safety, says students who pull the fire alarm will get suspended up to five days, if not expelled, and there may be possible fines. It is extremely important that students do not take these fire alarms as a joke, because students will not know whether to take the fire alarm seriously or not.

Madai Jimenez, a junior from Science and Engineering, says, “It is important to practice emergency evacuation drills because if something bad happens, we need to be prepared and know where to go.”

The purpose of emergency evacuation drills is for us to practice the steps and routes we need to take in order to be evacuated successfully. Mr. Mel Collins, Executive Principal of Lincoln High School, says, “Practice makes perfect. Folks need to know what to do when a real emergency occurs; if we do no practice, students will get confused during a real evacuation.” He says we have improved tremendously since the school opened in 2007, and we will continue to improve if we take these drills seriously.

Students need to talk with their families immediately about building a safety plan for emergency evacuations. Do not hesitate to prepare yourself because we can never be too sure when something drastic will happen in San Diego. You and your family need to be prepared when a natural disaster occurs; prepare for the worst today.