This content was published: January 30, 2003. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC to Conduct Disaster Preparedness Drill
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College students, faculty and staff will participate in the QuakEx 2003 drill and exercise.During April, the state of Oregon will conduct a statewide earthquake exercise called QuakEx 2003. This exercise is designed to test the emergency response plans and efforts of local government and many other public agencies and businesses in Oregon. On Wednesday, April 2, PCC will participate in this exercise by holding a full-scale earthquake drill and exercise to test its level of readiness for response to a major earthquake."The upcoming QuakEx exercise and drill will be the largest undertaking by this college in the disaster planning process to date,"said Ken Goodwin, director of PCC Public Safety. "QuakEx 2003 will help all of us develop a collective level of confidence that we are prepared to respond safely and appropriately should a major earthquake or other major emergency occur on one or all of our campuses."Goodwin says the college takes very seriously the responsibility for keeping the students, faculty, staff and facilities as safe and prepared as possible. The Department of Public Safety at the college is in charge of maintaining PCC’s "Disaster Preparedness Plan." That plan is exercised at least twice each year to ensure that the college is prepared to respond to a variety of emergencies and significant incidents. In conjunction with the Risk Management department at the college, training is ongoing for various groups that would have major roles in any emergency.This exercise satisfies the requirements of Senate Bill 13 that was passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2001. This bill requires state and local agencies with 250 or more full-time employees to conduct earthquake drills.For more information, contact Ken Goodwin at 503-977-4980.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »