As area schoolchildren prepare for their annual earthquake drill at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Lewis and Clark County Disaster and Emergency Services coordinator Paul Spengler finds himself answering more questions about the "Triangle of Life" -- purported survival advice making the rounds on the Internet.

Self-styled rescuer Doug Copp of New Mexico claims he knows how best to survive an earthquake.

While experts advise "Drop, Cover and Hold On!" (i.e. move only a few steps to safety, stay away from windows, don't run outside for fear of falling buildings), Copp says pretty much the opposite. Would-be survivors should find a suitable "void" and curl up in the fetal position.

Spengler finds little value in Copp's advice.

"It's erroneous. It just doesn't make sense," Spengler says. "It flies in the face of traditional earthquake response information."

For example, running outside a building, as Copp suggests, is a bigger risk because walls fall outwards, Spengler says. And contrary to the Triangle, you don't get protection if you don't clamber under sturdy furniture, Spengler adds.

Officials were buried with questions about the "Triangle of Life" at the National Earthquake Conference in St. Louis, which Spengler attended.

Copp's credibility is also under question.

An investigation by the Albuquerque Journal found little truth to Copp's supposed efforts -- and subsequent claim for $650,000 from the September 11th Victims' Compensation Fund -- in the aftermath of the World Trade Center collapse.

According to the Journal, Copp took scant video footage at Ground Zero, but was frequently booted offsite and spent most of the time at a hotel.

- City of Helena officials promised not to ignore pedestrians and bikers.

The Nonmotorized Transportation Plan, which spells out walking paths, bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly designs for Helena and the Helena Valley, has laid dormant for a year, awaiting approvel by city and county commissioners.

The plan wasn't intentionally shelved, says City Manager Tim Burton, but has been delayed while the more-comprehensive Helena Area Transportation Plan is updated. That plan was put off to accomodate a decision on Helena's new Interstate 15 interchanges, he said.

City and county commissioners will discuss the nonmotorized plan Nov. 4.

- The starting gate and a horse walking pole remains, but Lewis and Clark County officials voted to get rid of the horseracing association building. The roofs had blown off the buildings, which sat behind the rodeo arena.

The decision says more about fixing the fairgrounds than the future of horseracing, according to County Administrator Ron Alles.

- It's no surprise state officials extended their study of water quantity and quality in the North Hills for two years.

Under the Northern Hills Temporary Controlled Groundwater Area, all new wells and replacement wells need a permit from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation through Oct. 11, 2006.

Meanwhile, the water rights fight continues for the proposed Fieldstone Estates subdivision. A 12-hour hearing was held in September; a DNRC hearings examiner will propose a decision some time in the future, which can be appealed.

"On the Record" appears on Mondays. Lob comments, criticism or kudos to city-county reporter Jason Mohr at 447-4075 or jason.mohr@helenair.com.