City Emergency Management Agency

All citizens, businesses, and communities are encouraged to participate in this year's Great ShakeOut. Held annually on the third Thursday of October, the ShakeOut International Day of Action is scheduled for Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 10:18 a.m. (local time).  

During the self-led drill, participants practice how to "Drop, Cover and Hold On," which is the safe response to an earthquake.

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.

The ShakeOut is free and open to the public, and participants include individuals, schools, businesses, local and state government agencies, and many other groups. To take part in the ShakeOut, individuals and organizations are asked to join the drill by registering to participate at www.shakeout.org. Once registered, participants receive regular information how to plan their drill and become better prepared for earthquakes and other disasters.

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