A giant 60’ crack will be splitting San Francisco’s Union Square in half today as a result of a simulated earthquake. This “Super Crack” promotion is part of the “Prepare Bay Area” program by the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter (ARCBA) to maintain awareness and help people prepare for the next big earthquake. They will be having a press conference today at 12pm.
The week of August 20th, the American Red Cross will be launching the next phase of their Prepare Bay Area “What Do We Have to Do to Get Your Attention†campaign by simulating an earthquake “crack across Union Square!” Open to Union Square businesses and employees and the general public – all are invited to stop by the square to see this pulsestopping special effect, order Disaster Kits (at a 20% discount) and attend a FREE Personal Preparedness Course. Building a disaster supplies kit, Creating a household emergency plan, and Being informed & Receiving preparedness training; are three important steps that can greatly reduce injuries and loss of life, property damage, and speed recover in the event of a earthquake, fire, pandemic or other catastrophic event. Studies and the aftermath of previous disasters have shown that those employees who were already personally prepared returned to work sooner because the preparedness training made it easier and quicker for them to check on their families.
This is a follow up to ARCBA’s “Shock” campaign in March, where they had a two-sided mobile billboard that showed what San Francisco might look like during an earthquake.
UPDATE: I went down to Union Square and shot a few photos of the installation.
