Full Notification

What is the Great California ShakeOut? Everyone, everywhere, should know how to protect themselves during earthquakes.

On October 17 at 10:17 a.m., more than 9 million people in schools, businesses, non-profits, government agencies, neighborhoods, organizations, and households all across California will practice "Drop, Cover and Hold On" and other aspects of their emergency plans.

The Great California ShakeOut began in California in 2008 and is the world's largest earthquake drill. Participation is free and may take only a few minutes, depending on your drill plans. Learn more and register to participate at www.ShakeOut.org/california.
The program has since been replicated across the United States and in several other countries. More than 20 million people worldwide will participate in 2013!

The primary purpose of ShakeOut is to encourage people and organizations to be prepared to survive and to recover quickly when the next big earthquake happens.

How do we prepare, survive, and recover?

Everyone should know what steps to take before, during and after an earthquake, at home, work, and school. Visit www.earthquakecountry.org to learn about the Seven
Steps to Earthquake Safety.

PREPARE (before an earthquake):

Step 1 ~ Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items such as furniture and other heavy objects to avoid injuries and damage.

Step 2 ~ Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. Where will you meet your family? How will you get to work? Do you know how to perform CPR, or to use a fire extinguisher?

Step 3 ~ Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations.

Step 4 ~ Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance.

SURVIVE (during and just after an earthquake):

Step 5 ~ You cannot tell from the initial shaking if an earthquake will suddenly become intense...so always Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately!
• DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!);
• Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table if nearby; and
• HOLD ON to your shelter and be ready to move with it until the shaking stops.
• If there is no table or desk near you, drop to the ground and then if possible move to an inside corner of the room. Remain in a crawling position to protect your vital organs and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
• Do not move to another room or outside. Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl. You are more likely to be injured if you try to move during strong shaking.
• These are guidelines for most situations. Visit www.earthquakecountry.org/step5 to learn how to protect yourself in other situations and locations, including safety tips for people with disabilities.

Step 6 ~ Improve safety after earthquakes by evacuating, if necessary, helping the injured, and preventing further injuries or damage. Be ready for aftershocks that may continue for several weeks to months after large earthquakes.

RECOVER (after an earthquake):

Step 7 ~ Reconnect and Restore. Restore daily life by reconnecting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding community.
• To keep phone lines accessible for emergency use communicate via text message rather than calling.
• If you have an earthquake insurance policy and have suffered any property damage, contact your insurance agent or company for assistance.

Who organizes the Great California ShakeOut?

The Great California ShakeOut is organized by the Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA), a statewide public-private-community partnership. ECA links together public education efforts of organizations that provide earthquake information and services. In addition to the ShakeOut, the ECA provides information and resources at www.earthquakecountry.org and coordinates local activities year-round through regional alliances in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Redwood Coast.
ECA members include: scientists and engineers; non-profit organization and business leaders; community groups and activists; federal, state, and local government leaders and agencies; and others who are committed to an earthquake and tsunami resilient California. Major organizations involved include California Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, California Earthquake Authority, American Red Cross, and the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) at which administers the ECA from its headquarters at the University of Southern California. SCEC coordinates and assists all ShakeOut regions and manages the www.ShakeOut.org website with support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Science Foundation, U.S. Geological Survey, and other sponsors.

For more info click below:

http://www.shakeout.org/california/index.html
http://vimeo.com/65277921