ARLINGTON — An earthquake is scheduled Friday morning, but don’t expect a ground-shaking experience.
Instead, a planned earthquake drill should help city, hospital and school officials, along with business owners, determine if Arlington is ready in case the big one does hit.
If the city were rocked by a quake bad enough to cause moderate to heavy damage, injuries will result, said community emergency management coordinator Christine Badger.
Cascade Valley Hospital would be busy, and there would be a special effort to take care of school children.
Arlington students are excited about participating in the disaster exercise, school superintendent Kristine McDuffy said.
The drill will test the citywide emergency communications system and is set to include a scenario with a heavily damaged school and many injured students.
The citywide drill is part of a planning process that’s been ongoing for a couple years, Mayor Margaret Larson said.
“Now we get the chance to test out some of our abilities,” Larson said.
The city also is asking local business owners to take part in the drill on Friday morning.
Participating businesses will allow signs indicating damage to be posted outside for response teams to log on an emergency services priority map.
To volunteer your business location for the drill, call the fire department at 360-403-3600 or e-mail cbadger@ci.arlington.wa.us.
People who live in Arlington are asked to participate by preparing themselves for any disaster or emergency, Badger said.
In the first hours after an earthquake, most families will have to be their own emergency workers, she said.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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