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Get Ready To Shakeout!

Ronnie Sharpe

Millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:19 a.m. on October 19* during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, which began in California in 2008.  

Participating is a great way for your family or organization to be prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes– wherever you live, work, or travel. ShakeOut is also a major activity of America's PrepareAthon! Go to Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills to find out more about events in your area.

    In MOST situations, you will reduce your chance of injury if you:

    DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.

    COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows). Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs.

    HOLD ON until shaking stops. Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts. No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

    If you live, work or go to school in the Bay Area make sure you signed up with the following alert systems:

    But there's more to the Bay Area then earthquakes. When a natural disaster strikes the Bay Area will you be ready to help your loved ones? Wildfires and floods are also all imminent possibilities so now is the time to get everyone in your family prepared. Classes for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Disaster Preparedness Training, and Search & Rescue (SAR) are available.

    Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

    In the event of an emergency, our first responders will be overwhelmed. It is critical for citizens to be prepared to take care of themselves and their community. Join your local CERT team and become a citizen first responder. CERT training is important to help fill the gap between a disaster or emergency, and the arrival of professional services. Registration and more information can be found at:

    Disaster Preparedness Training

    Do you have the supplies necessary for your family for 5-7 days? Learn how much water you need, how to build a family emergency kit, and means of communication in an emergency. 

    Search & Rescue (SAR)

    To become part of Search & Rescue you need to be 14 years or over. Most callouts involve wilderness searches in rugged terrain. K9 Unit and Underwater SAR is also available. Members to have above average endurance and to feel comfortable in the great outdoors. Searching can be very rewarding, but also draining, both physically and emotionally. Members are trained in emergency medical systems, rope rescue, map and compass navigation, search techniques, tracking, and more. 

    Millions of people are already registered to participate in the ShakeOut worldwide. Registration information and all Great ShakeOut materials (print and multimedia) for individuals and organizations can be found at www.shakeout.org.