On Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 10:20 a.m., March Air Reserve Base rattled in a simulated earthquake called The Great California ShakeOut. Team March members sought protection until the “shaking” stopped and then they mustered with their squadrons. The Emergency Operations Center formed to assess damage and casualties while the March fire fighters and medical Airmen treated injuries. “We have plans that direct our actions in an emergency, but people remember what they do, not necessarily what they read. This is why exercises and drills are so important,” said Marv Tucker, 452 AMW chief of emergency management. The statewide earthquake drill is in its fourth year and drew 8.5 million registered participants. More than 1,000 of these participants were from March. Here, Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Pearson, 4th Air Force, takes cover under a table in his office.
During the California-wide Great ShakeOut earthquake drill, Airman 1st Class Jennie Estrella, 452 ASTS, and Senior Airman Jennifer Navarro, 452 AMDS, assess a patient at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., Oct. 20, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photos/Lt. Col. Don Traud)
During the California-wide Great ShakeOut earthquake drill, Chief Master Sgt. Timi Levy (center), 452 AMDS, makes a report to Harold Sterne, March Fire Department, at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., Oct. 20, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photos/Lt. Col. Don Traud)
During the California-wide Great ShakeOut earthquake drill, Senior Master Sgt. Helena McGhee, 452 AMDS, compares notes with Cary Kerr, 452 FSS, in the outdoor emergency operations center at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., Oct. 20, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photos/Lt. Col. Don Traud)