Kinko’s Gives 700 Employees Quake Course

Employees at the Kinko’s Copies headquarters in Ventura are confident that when the Big One strikes, they will be ready.

That is because the more than 700 employees at the company got a crash course on how to prepare and safeguard themselves in the event of a major earthquake.

“I think we’ve provided them with some direction on what to do in case of an earthquake,” said Dale Cundiff, training director for Life Safe, an emergency response training company participating in Friday’s event. “They’ll be ready and won’t be helpless.”

The daylong training seminar, held on the third anniversary of the Northridge earthquake, featured exhibits including demonstrations on how to shut off gas, use a fire extinguisher, put together an emergency kit and what it feels like to be in an earthquake.

The “Quake Cottage,” operated by Safe-T-Proof, an earthquake preparedness firm, simulated the violent convulsions of an 8.0-magnitude earthquake.

The experience, something akin to being in a car collision over and over again, illustrated for employees the raw power of a major earthquake.

“I think everyone came out of it with a better understanding of what an earthquake is and what it can do,” said Michael Essrig, an employee of Safe-T-Proof. “Some of the people came out in tears because it reminded them so much of the Northridge experience.”

The seminar also culminated a two-year training program for a group of Kinko’s employees who have organized a disaster response team.

The 90 group members have trained in basic first aid, search and rescue, disaster planning and triage.

“We wanted to make sure everyone here was ready for an earthquake, both at home and at work,” said Gail Michalak, a spokeswoman for Kinko’s.

By the end of the seminar and demonstration, employees agreed that they had come out with a better understanding of what they can do to survive a major quake.

“I thought the whole thing was great and very valuable,” said Essie Lewis, an internal billing representative and a member of Kinko’s response team. “I think a lot of people learned how to protect themselves and understand what an earthquake’s all about.”