With 22 million people living and working in southern California, a major earthquake in the region could cause an unprecedented catastrophe. What residents do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what their lives will be like after.

Students, faculty and staff on the Health Science Campus can learn how to prepare at a one-hour free seminar Tuesday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m.-noon in Mayer Auditorium of the Keith Administration Building. The seminar will be presented by Steve Goldfarb, a USC fire safety and emergency planning specialist.

Goldfarb, who also is a nationally known emergency response trainer and president of the Business and Industry Council for Emergency Planning and Preparedness in Los Angeles, will cover what to do before, during and after an earthquake; how to prepare your home and family; and the USC earthquake response plan.

The seminar is hosted by Health Sciences Public Relations and Marketing, which will provide cookies and beverages. Attendees may bring their own lunch.

The seminar is one of three to be offered by the USC Emergency Planning Team in preparation for the Great Southern California ShakeOut. The other two will be Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Bovard Auditorium on the University Park Campus.

Organized by the Earthquake Country Alliance, the Great Southern California ShakeOut is a week of special events featuring a massive earthquake drill at 10 a.m. on Nov. 13. With a goal of at least 5 million participants, the ShakeOut drill will be the largest in U.S. history. To participate, register at www.ShakeOut.org.

USC University Park Campus will be one of the primary sites for the Nov. 13 mass casualty and building inspection exercises. The Disaster Medical Response Team will set up the treatment area and be responsible for performing triage, treating the injured and providing crisis intervention and counseling. The team, under the direction of the Student Health Center, is comprised of the School of Dentistry, School of Pharmacy, the USC Community Emergency Response Team, Center for Work and Family Life, and the School of Social Work.

The Department of Public Safety will perform a "windshield" survey of the USC campus and provide security for the treatment area location and other areas as needed. Transportation Services, with the help of the ROTC, will transport patients and equipment from the field location to the treatment area.

Facilities and Housing building safety teams will check each building for structural damage; Hospitality Services will distribute emergency food and drinking water; and Housing Services and Residential Education will provide shelter for anyone unable to leave campus and return home.

To learn more about the ShakeOut, and earthquake preparation tips, visit www.daretoprepare.org. USC students, staff and faculty can receive a 10 percent discount on emergency supplies at www.sosproducts.com.