Annual event features ways to prepare for earthquakes and other natural disasters

Every October, California stages the “Great California ShakeOut”, an opportunity to practice knowledge and skills to handle earthquakes calmly. October 17, 2019 marks the fifth annual statewide event, and the San Bernardino County Museum wants to help residents prepare to “Drop, Cover, and Hold on,” in case of an actual earthquake or natural disaster. Join museum partners on Sunday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the annual Prepare for the Great California ShakeOut. 

The event features the very popular San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services earthquake simulator, so visitors can experience the strength of an earthquake. Emergency preparedness demos will be given throughout the afternoon. Participating partners include San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services, Redlands CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), and Red Cross of San Bernardino. LifeStream of San Bernardino will be accepting blood donations. Participants will also get to experiment with tabletop demonstrations about the science of earthquakes and test their knowledge by making their own fault art with clay.

“Earthquakes are on their own schedule, and they can occur at any time wherever we work, live, or travel within the region and beyond,” said Museum Director, Melissa Russo. “Everyone, everywhere should know how to protect themselves from an earthquake. We hope this museum event is an annual reminder to our visitors about the need to prepare.”

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prepare for the Great California ShakeOut is included with general admission: $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit http://www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.