Eliko Bridgewater, RN,Toiyabe Indian Health Project, interviews a shelter client as part of a disaster drill in the Owens Valley. The Greater Los Angeles chapter assisted with the exercise.

If a large earthquake strikes the Owens Valley in Central California, area residents will be better prepared, thanks to a drill held in December in which the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles participated with the Bishop Paiute Tribe.

A simulated 7.9 earthquake resulted in road closures, telecommunications shutdowns and a major fire. The Bishop Paiute Tribe responded with help from four Greater Los Angeles Red Cross disaster personnel to establish a shelter and respond to immediate needs as if the actual emergency occurred.  Both the tribe and its reservation are separate from the county and its emergency services.

The tribe’s disaster shelter is in its new Head Start preschool building and is open to all residents in time of disaster. The American Red Cross supplied 50 cots and 100 blankets for the drill.

“The Bishop Paiute Tribe began preparing for this exercise last June when we conducted a reservation risk analysis workshop,” said Louisa Cardenas, chapter volunteer government liaison. “Tribal members now understand and are committed to emergency preparedness planning on an on-going basis.”

For the past decade, the Greater Los Angeles Red Cross has worked with Inyo and Mono County emergency response officials, as well as members of Bishop Paiute Tribe to be able to provide immediate Red Cross services to disaster-affected families.

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