Just a few weeks ago Loma Linda University Health held a photo contest coinciding with the campus’ June 29 earthquake drill. Drop. Cover. Selfie. While this might not be the typical reaction you think of when you prepare for an earthquake drill, Cambria Boyer, emergency management specialist, shared that the idea behind this contest was to not lighten the tone of the drill, but to help increase employee involvement.
“It is important to train and exercise according to the desired response in a real event, and while taking a selfie in a real earthquake is not recommended, the drop, cover and hold process is,” Boyer says. “By getting under the desk and going through the motions, it creates muscle memory, a safer reaction and increases our response time during an actual earthquake.”
After sifting through hundreds of photos, the winners have been chosen and 16 lucky individuals will be receiving the prize of a one-person, three-day basic emergency kit. This prize is awarded to two individuals per Loma Linda entity under the categories of safest photo and most creative photo.
“We were impressed with the time and effort that some folks put into their creative pictures and to see the team building and collaboration that took place,” Boyer says.
Safest photos:
- Behavioral Medicine Center winner: Lenner Love
- Children’s Hospital winner: Veronica Laprise
- Group winner: Adriana Melo registration group
- Loma Linda University winner: Barbara Ninan
- LLU Health Care winner: Rochelle Sobredo
- Medical Center winner: GloryAnn Meza
- Shared Services winner: Marie Gornay
- Murrieta winner: Nicole Jung
Most creative photos:
- Behavioral Medicine Center winner: Ashley Pelton
- Children’s Hospital winner: Evelyn Figueroa
- Group winner: Kathy Respicio LLU Special Care Dentistry
- Loma Linda University winner: Marjorie McPherson
- LLU Health Care winner: Alicia Garcia
- Medical Center winner: Neil Calaguian
- Shared Services winner: Steven Hergert
- Murrieta winner: Courtney Sackwar
“This contest also gives us a chance to assess our work space, predetermine the best possible options and ensure the space is cleaned and clear of clutter and accessible at all times,” Boyer goes on to say. “The challenge of getting people to stop what they are doing and literally drop, cover and hold on became a lot easier when we added some fun lighthearted competition.”