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Team Edwards sends earthquake response to nearby base

  • Published
  • By Giancarlo Casem
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Following two earthquakes that rocked the high desert area, Team Edwards provided emergency crews to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake near Ridgecrest, California, recently.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first temblor struck at 10:33 a.m. on July 4 with a 6.4 magnitude and is now considered a foreshock. A second quake shook the area the following day at 8:20 p.m. with a stronger 7.1 magnitude. Estimated economic losses of what the USGS now calls, the Searles Quake, are at least $1 billion, furthermore, the air control tower at Plant 42 was also damaged; the exact extent of that damage is still under review.

The USGS calls it the strongest seismic activity in more than 20 years. Following both quakes, Edwards Air Force Base emergency crews surveyed local buildings for damage.

“Crews maintained their posture locally after the (July 4th) earthquake; responders went through the base looking for damage during that time,” said Fire Chief Timothy Johnson, Edwards AFB Fire and Emergency Services. “(Then) I received a request from NAS China Lake Fire Department to help support in damage assessment, fire suppression, and accountability of any lost personnel.”

The Edwards response consisted of a fire engine company, a rescue company and a division chief, Johnson said.

Brig. Gen. E. John Teichert, commended the Team Edwards response locally at Edwards and Plant 42, as well as in support of NAS China Lake.

“After the quakes…our Defender, firefighter and civil engineer teams went out to do initial damage assessment to ensure Edwards and Plant 42 was safe and secure, we immediately established communications with Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and they didn’t need anything from us after the Thursday quake, but they needed our help on Friday,” Teichert said. “And immediately we deployed a fire and rescue team to work throughout the night and morning to do their initial response and emergency response for what they needed at NAS China lake.”

Besides emergency first-responders, Team Edwards also deployed structural, electrical and plumbing engineers to NAS China Lake. The base also underwent preparations in the event the Federal Emergency Management Agency need to use Edwards as a staging base.

Teichert thanked Team Edwards for their actions in a video message he released through social media.

“Thank you so much for being part of an incredible team. On a four-day weekend, you demonstrated your genuine concern for others, your professionalism, and perfectly described some of those principles in the National Defense Strategy; like full-spectrum readiness and partnering with joint teams,” Teichert said. “Thank you so much for what you do, every single day.”

 


Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.