TV Reviews : KCET Offers a Primer on ‘Surviving the Big One’

In “Surviving the Big One,” airing at 8 tonight on Channel 28, KCET delivers a comprehensive primer on how to prepare for a major earthquake.

And--no small feat--producer-director Joel Tator has kept “Big One” from being a dry lecture. “Big One” delivers a ton of information while being entertaining and engrossing.

A large part of the credit goes to the show’s host, Henry Johnson, a fire and safety specialist in the Los Angeles Fire Department. Johnson is on camera throughout “Big One”; his low-key demeanor and straightforward conversational style draw viewers into a solid, information-packed hour.

As Johnson repeatedly stresses, the key to survival lies in proper preparation. According to Johnson, the thing that most Southern Californians fear the most--the shaking motion of a quake--is not going to be the main problem. The biggest area of concern will be the quake’s aftermath, when there will be a serious lack of public services--water, food, emergency medical assistance and so on.

One of the key values of “Big One” is its skill in separating fact from fiction. Footage from 15 earthquake-prone locations coupled with Johnson’s articulate explanations help overcome certain fears--no, California is not going to break off and fall into the ocean.

“Surviving the Big One” can’t be recommended highly enough. Knowledge is power and, in this case, might be just the power to help you and your family survive.