CSUB hosting community preparedness event

Saturday event will include interactive demonstrations, hands-on experiences

By California State University, Bakersfield

March 22^nd, 2023

California State University, Bakersfield is hosting a community preparedness event this Saturday, March 25, to help educate families on how to stay safe when an emergency strikes.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Don Hart East Lawn and will include demonstrations, hands-on experiences as well as resource booths focused on educating families about various emergencies and how to be prepared for them.

CSUB’s Department of Geological Sciences and the President’s Office have partnered with the Kern County Office of Emergency Services and Kern County Fire Department to bring this resource fair to campus. More than 30 school and community organizations are expected to participate in the event.

“Emergency preparedness is not just about having excellent first responders. A large part about being prepared is being knowledgeable about the science behind natural disasters and their consequences,” said Anthony Rathburn, professor and chair of the Geological Sciences Department.

Attendees will have the opportunity to make their own go bag, practice CPR, create a flood and put out a virtual fire through the interactive demonstrations that will be available. Participants will also be able to safely experience the shaking of an earthquake through the Shake Cottage.

The Geology Department’s stream table will allow users to manipulate water and sand to create dams, streams and floodplains where they can observe the effects of erosion and flooding.

Three geology students have also built a 3-D augmented reality sandbox that enables users to recreate and modify the Earth surface to better understand natural hazards and surface water processes.

First-responder vehicles, helicopters and other equipment will also be on display during the event.

“We hope that everyone comes away with the knowledge and confidence of understanding why being prepared and having a plan is very important,” Rathburn said. “We trust that everyone will appreciate the importance of being self-sufficient until help can arrive and take steps to ensure their safety.”