Muhlenberg Students Participate in The Great Central United States Shakeout

The Safety Cadets and Center Safety Officer at the Muhlenberg Job Corps recently involved the student body and staff in an earthquake drill entitled “Great Central United States Shakeout.”  The drill was a state wide event that was coordinated locally by Keith Putnam, Emergency Services Director for Muhlenberg County.  Muhlenberg students were instructed on how to respond in case of an earthquake.  Many safety drills are held on the Muhlenberg campus each month, but earthquake preparedness is not usually one of the top priorities.

Putnam stated, “The Muhlenberg Job Corps sits very close to the New Madrid Fault. In the event of an earthquake along this fault line the center’s campus and structures would more than likely suffer severe to moderate damage.”  With a real earthquake being a distinct possibility, Susan Lyons, the center’s safety supervisor felt a drill would be a good way to help students be more prepared.  Many Muhlenberg students come from Florida and other states that are not used to the possibility of an earthquake.  Lyons said, “We hope an earthquake never occurs in our area, but we want to be the best prepared we can be if it does become a reality.”