Ready for big quake?

The poll also said only 22 percent report they have taken CERT courses about how to help others safely in disasters, including light search and rescue techniques and basic medical assistance. "We would like to see that number be much higher," Garrett said.

Most local cities have offered CERT training for years. A directory of most programs in the state is available online at www.citizencorps.gov/cert/.

More encouraging findings are that 77 percent of those polled said they had taken first-aid courses, and 75 percent had taken classes teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Such classes are available through the Red Cross and other community groups.

Also, 71 percent said they have 72-hour emergency kits of food, water, clothes and first-aid supplies. "That number is very encouraging," Garrett said. "I'm not completely surprised because culturally in Utah, the preparedness mentality here is much greater than in other states."

Of course, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have for years encouraged their members to make such kits. The survey showed that 83 percent of people who describe themselves as "very active" LDS have them.

Among others, 64 percent of those who say they are "somewhat active" LDS have them; 52 percent of "not active" LDS say they do; 51 percent of Protestants do; 39 percent of Catholics do; and 67 percent of other religions say they do.

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E-mail: lee@desnews.com