News & Events

Trona/Ridgecrest Earthquake

Description:

Our initial call was to the LAC in Trona which came through San Bernadino County VOAD. The LAC was at Trona High School, the center for community needs in general. Water supply was disrupted due to line breakage; there were two tanker trucks, one with potable water and one not. Pallets of cases of bottled water were brought in by truckload. Many porta potties were out front as the community was also without working sewer.

The temperature was quite high, not only air but ground which is all sand and concrete. Inside was pleasant.

The LAC was in the gym with ample space for all services and a central area for the dogs to be when we weren’t walking around. Kids sat there on the floor, with the dogs, coloring. There was also a kids’ corner which we visited. Client attendance seemed low; the town is very small, less than 2000, so I’m not sure if the numbers were a matter of population or possibly a reticence to come in.

The Sheriff’s Dept. provided meals for staff and community three times a day.

While in Trona, we were invited to the LAC at the Kerr McGee Center in Ridgecrest, Kern County. This was a big facility with a sign in and waiting area, for those who came early, in the front room. It was well staffed including volunteers who escorted clients to the appropriate areas and were on hand to help in many ways. At check in, volunteers talked with clients to assess their needs; clients were given a printed list of all stations and numbers and the ones applicable to them were checked. Folks came in steadily throughout the day.

We walked around a lot but there was ample seating in the central area where the dogs could rest and, again, kids could gather and pet.

We noticed more anxiety among clients than there often is, probably because the earthquake danger was still ongoing. Several counseling services were available and utilized.

At the other end of Kerr McGee was the Red Cross Shelter; it had maybe 100 residents, and several had their own dogs. I visited with folks in the hall, but we did not take the dogs back.

Central World Kitchen provided meals for LAC staff and community.

Before the LAC opened, Bari and Steve were invited take their dogs to the Police Dept. which was next door to visit. They were received very gratefully.

As the Center was set in a grassy area with shade from the building and trees, breaks with the dogs were much easier.

Our initial call was to the LAC in Trona which came through San Bernadino County VOAD. The LAC was at Trona High School, the center for community needs in general. Water supply was disrupted due to line breakage; there were two tanker trucks, one with potable water and one not. Pallets of cases of bottled water were brought in by truckload. Many porta potties were out front as the community was also without working sewer.

The temperature was quite high, not only air but ground which is all sand and concrete. Inside was pleasant.

The LAC was in the gym with ample space for all services and a central area for the dogs to be when we weren’t walking around. Kids sat there on the floor, with the dogs, coloring. There was also a kids’ corner which we visited. Client attendance seemed low; the town is very small, less than 2000, so I’m not sure if the numbers were a matter of population or possibly a reticence to come in.

The Sheriff’s Dept. provided meals for staff and community three times a day.

While in Trona, we were invited to the LAC at the Kerr McGee Center in Ridgecrest, Kern County. This was a big facility with a sign in and waiting area, for those who came early, in the front room. It was well staffed including volunteers who escorted clients to the appropriate areas and were on hand to help in many ways. At check in, volunteers talked with clients to assess their needs; clients were given a printed list of all stations and numbers and the ones applicable to them were checked. Folks came in steadily throughout the day.

We walked around a lot but there was ample seating in the central area where the dogs could rest and, again, kids could gather and pet.

We noticed more anxiety among clients than there often is, probably because the earthquake danger was still ongoing. Several counseling services were available and utilized.

At the other end of Kerr McGee was the Red Cross Shelter; it had maybe 100 residents, and several had their own dogs. I visited with folks in the hall, but we did not take the dogs back.

Central World Kitchen provided meals for LAC staff and community.

Before the LAC opened, Bari and Steve were invited take their dogs to the Police Dept. which was next door to visit. They were received very gratefully.

As the Center was set in a grassy area with shade from the building and trees, breaks with the dogs were much easier.

Our initial call was to the LAC in Trona which came through San Bernadino County VOAD. The LAC was at Trona High School, the center for community needs in general. Water supply was disrupted due to line breakage; there were two tanker trucks, one with potable water and one not. Pallets of cases of bottled water were brought in by truckload. Many porta potties were out front as the community was also without working sewer.

The temperature was quite high, not only air but ground which is all sand and concrete. Inside was pleasant.

The LAC was in the gym with ample space for all services and a central area for the dogs to be when we weren’t walking around. Kids sat there on the floor, with the dogs, coloring. There was also a kids’ corner which we visited. Client attendance seemed low; the town is very small, less than 2000, so I’m not sure if the numbers were a matter of population or possibly a reticence to come in.

The Sheriff’s Dept. provided meals for staff and community three times a day.

While in Trona, we were invited to the LAC at the Kerr McGee Center in Ridgecrest, Kern County. This was a big facility with a sign in and waiting area, for those who came early, in the front room. It was well staffed including volunteers who escorted clients to the appropriate areas and were on hand to help in many ways. At check in, volunteers talked with clients to assess their needs; clients were given a printed list of all stations and numbers and the ones applicable to them were checked. Folks came in steadily throughout the day.

We walked around a lot but there was ample seating in the central area where the dogs could rest and, again, kids could gather and pet.

We noticed more anxiety among clients than there often is, probably because the earthquake danger was still ongoing. Several counseling services were available and utilized.

At the other end of Kerr McGee was the Red Cross Shelter; it had maybe 100 residents, and several had their own dogs. I visited with folks in the hall, but we did not take the dogs back.

Central World Kitchen provided meals for LAC staff and community.

Before the LAC opened, Bari and Steve were invited take their dogs to the Police Dept. which was next door to visit. They were received very gratefully.

As the Center was set in a grassy area with shade from the building and trees, breaks with the dogs were much easier.

Our presence in both LACs was deeply appreciated.

Laura Finlon/Gunner, Steve Booth/Henry, Bari Boersma/Star