Finally, as I talked with the people working around me, and as I thought about my own feelings, I saw that in the event of a major disaster such as the earthquake we simulated, many of the emergency responders would not actually respond. They would first of all be concerned with the welfare of their own families and homes. They would also in some cases be casualties themselves. They would very likely be prevented from responding by the physical damage and by the breakdown of the communication system. In this event, those actually responding would have to make do with whatever civilians they could enlist.
More thought needs to be given to the role of the untrained civilian in such emergencies.
I am glad that this earthquake was only a drill. I am glad that I had the chance to participate and to learn form it. It was a very vivid reminder to all of us that it is not a question of whether such a disaster will actually happen here, it is only a question of when and how bad it will be. We really do need to be prepared for it when it comes.