Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

03/27/03

NEWS RELEASE
Dick Scobee Students and Staff to Experience
Earthquake Simulation and Emergency Drill

On Thursday, April 3, Dick Scobee Elementary students and staff will get the opportunity to experience an earthquake simulation and emergency drill.  As part of the state-wide earthquake drill occurring that day, Dick Scobee Elementary School’s staff will be “trading places” with members of the Auburn Fire Department at 9:45 a.m. that morning.  They will be working under the assumption that emergency crews may not be  able to help them for several hours.  The staff will free those “trapped by the earthquake” and give medical aid while firefighters look on. 

Over the past year, the Auburn Fire Department has been working with Auburn School District to enhance school staff skills in search and rescue, medical triage, and crisis management.  This life-like earthquake simulation will allow the staff to practice what they have learned. 

At 9:45 a.m., the Dick Scobee Elementary School staff and students will “drop, cover, and hold.”  After the simulated earthquake stops, the school staff will take on their assigned duties.  Fire department staff will offer input as the school staff participates in the several surprise scenarios.  Other Auburn School District schools will also participate in the state-wide earthquake drill.

For more information, contact Terry Cheshire, director of secondary student learning, at (253) 931-4903.