Emergency Information Council

Mark Benthien, director of public education and preparedness at the USC Statewide California Earthquake Center presented the movie Quake Heroes on May 12, to Leisure World’s Emergency Information Council (EIC). The motivational documentary depicts stories from the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Benthien also hosted a question- and-answers session for the more than 45 attending residents.

“The movie was a wonderful blend of story telling and real-life heroism and held our attention from start to finish”, said Mutual 16’s Loni Gardette. “The film stressed neighbors helping neighbors and also it highlighted the need and importance of preparedness,” said

Mark Benthien Mutual 15’s Jackie Dunagan. Most of those interviewed in the movie were the unexpected heroes who risked their own safety to do what was necessary to help their neighbors survive a disaster. It was the consensus of the attendees that the movie fulfilled its purpose of inspiring individual and community resilience in preparation for the next big earthquake.

The Emergency Information Council is a community-based organization whose principal purpose is to compile and make available emergency management, response information and preparedness planning.

For more information about the EIC, go to www.eiclwsb.org or contact President Jackie Dunagan by emailing jackie919@gmail.com or calling 562-4317479.