As the after shock continues to loom in Mexico City, Californians have reason to fear a 7.0 or greater magnitude earthquake. In fact, one is set to shake California within 30 years, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The statistical phenomenon has been
named the “Big One.”

The San Andreas fault stretches 750 miles through California—right through San Francisco. Although California’s infrastructure is significantly better at withstanding earthquakes than that of Mexico, USGS also found that the “Big One” has over a 99 percent chance of hitting California. This 7.0 magnitude earthquake has the potential to claim thousands of lives.

In order to counteract the destruction caused by the “Big One” or any other natural disaster, California Ed Code implements mandatory safety procedures to ensure students safety, like the drop and cover drill.

Sequoia has also gone as far as re modeling their buildings, such as the M-Wing, which is taking on a new look.

“Administration is making sure that the structure of the M-Wing is earthquake safe and everything is up to code,” Assistant Intructional Vice Principal Lisa Picchi said. “The safety of students and staff is administration’s priority during a natural disaster.”

During Sequoia’s annual earthquake drill, students of the Health Careers Academy (HCA) took part in organizing and accounting for students. This is the first year students of the HCA have been involved. The students prepared for the drill through a course to earn a certification in triage, the ranking of the severity of a patient’s condition to prioritize of patients based on the severity of his or her condition, through the Redwood City Fire Department.

The participation of the HCA has placed higher responsibilities on students, giving administration the opportunity to expand their roles in the effort of ensuring student’s safety. Senior Sophia Cipriani, an HCA student, took the role of first aid during the drill.

“Instead of Administration going to each teacher on the field, they assigned those roles to the Health Academy students,” Cipriani said.

Although most students have never experienced a major earthquake, teachers and faculty still have deep-rooted memories of the infamous 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake which hit the coast of California, producing a magnitude 6.9, claiming 67 lives and over $5 billion in damages.

“My experience was horrific,” Picchi said. “I was driving under an overpass when it collapsed. It was chaos. Everyone for themselves.”

Picchi cautioned students to be helpful rather than unsympathetic to those in need.

“There are more students than staff, so we rely on the students to be able to step up and help,” Picchi said. “I’d love to see more students get involved.”