Students learned how to be prepared for a disaster at an Earthquake and Safety Preparedness Fair last month in Jack Adams Hall.
"People are not prepared. I always tell people the most important thing to have is water, water, water," said Frank Wong of Earthquake Outlet, a store which specializes in earthquake preparedness equipment, food and water. According to Wong they are the only store in Northern California that sells earthquake preparedness equipment.
"What we offer is packets for people who are lazy -- for people who want to buy a kit and forget about it. For example, regular bottled water has a shelf life of 6 to 9 months. While our water and supplies can last up to five years," Wong said.
Jennifer Buelna, a senior marine biology major, said she tried to be prepared for an earthquake by putting together a kit last year. "I feel safer with it," she said.
Marianne David, a sophomore biology major, isn't as prepared as Buelna. "I'm really unprepared for an earthquake," she said.
"Ninety-nine percent of students are not prepared for an earthquake; statewide only five percent are prepared for one," Wong said.
According to Lt. James Dudley of the San Francisco Police Department, people need to have enough supplies to last at least 72 hours after a disaster. "The more people are prepared, the more time after a disaster we can spend on people who really need our assistance."
"There is one thing that people should have. It could have saved lives during the earthquake in Kobe -- a crowbar," Wong said. "If the door is jammed or there is a window that is shattered and you need to clear it out, having a crowbar nearby is essential."
"I consider myself very prepared for an earthquake. I came here to learn more," said Joyce Falsken, a senior studying fashion design.
The San Francisco Fire Department was on hand to introduce their training course, "The Neighborhood Emergency Response Team," which is designed to help citizens of San Francisco be "self-sufficient in a major disaster." The course teaches people the skills needed to act in teams if a disaster hits.
There were also exhibits by the California Public Health Department which focused on the dangers of lead poisoning, and an exhibit from PG&E displayed possible dangers power lines can cause, using a miniature house and street scene and real high voltage electricity. The Sanitary Fill Company focused their exhibit on disposing hazardous household chemicals and liquids safely.
"There have been cases of garbage workers being burned by acids and other liquids thrown away in regular trash. Never throw away any hazardous liquids, like paint thinner, in regular trash," said Gary Keep, environmental compliance specialist for the Sanitary Fill Company.
Safety demonstrations were also coordinated by the University Police Department and other Bay Area organizations.