I am saddened, encouraged and amazed by the photos coming out of Japan. My heartfelt prayers and thoughts to the affected go out to everyone.
What can we do now in our own back yards to protect ourselves, loved ones and the riding public should this happen to us?
Many good lessons were learned in the recent San Diego Earthquake about inadequate rope guards, counterweight derailment and earthquake sensors being reset with out first checking the hoistway. The recent EW publication has an article about the Earthquake in New Zealand. It's a good read.
I respectfully suggest that each one of us have an out of state contact for our families to check with to communicate our well being. It is quite possible that roads and overpasses will be out of service. We may be on our own for as little as three days and as long as three weeks. The chances are one in three on any work day that we will be near our jobs when such an event occurs.
Getting hospitals and government service buildings will be the first need in terms of what is best for the riding public.
We, however are no good to anyone if we are injured or our minds are on the unknown condition of our family. In such an event, it is better for us to team up with another mechanic and not attempt to return to service this equipment by ourselves. At least with a buddy, they can help us if there is an aftershock and we are in a jamb. (There will always be aftershocks)
I am open to your ideas, suggestions and responses. Perhaps we can come up with a script for a DVD or youtube that we can make available to ourselves and building engineers. I think it is a horrible idea for well intentioned building engineers to reset earthquake devices with out knowledge of how the equipment really works.
As for ourselves, what items should we keep in our Trucks? Water, Hand cleaner, First aid kit, Plastic Garbage bags, TP, food bars....
It's not just California. Saint Louis had a big one and is expecting another some day.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert L Krieger Jr.
