By Charles Fojtik

“Whoa! That must have been the Big One! I’ve been tossed 10 feet across the room and can see a mess and broken windows all around me.

Good, things have stopped shaking now and I can get up and walk.

OK, let’s try the water. No, it’s not working; power isn’t either. Now what do I do? Where do I go?”

Yes, the “Big One” — the infamous earthquake — is coming. Unfortunately, no one knows when it will occur. What we do know is we can prepare, and once it hits we should go to the nearest Disaster Assembly or Aid Station (DAS) for information and assistance.

”DAS? What’s that? Where is it?”

To find out where your DAS is located, how the DAS can help you in case of an area-wide emergency, and how you can help at the DAS, attend the next Mountain Disaster Preparedness Community Meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at the Idyllwild Library.

Marty Krieger, MDP Director of DAS Operations, will discuss the purpose and functioning of the DAS units, duties and responsibilities of DAS commanders and captains, unit inventories, maintaining DAS security while assuring ready access, and other important topics.

MDP particularly invites those who are interested in serving as a DAS Commander or Captain. Refreshments will be available.

For further information, contact MDP President Mike Feyder at 659-2647.