Every San Diegan should know what to do before, during and after a major earthquake. People can’t predict when a significant quake could strike or where they or their family members might be during one, so the best thing to do is prepare now.
The County of San Diego and the American Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter urge everyone to register to participate in the biggest earthquake drill in U.S. history on October 18 at 10:18 a.m. at www.ShakeOut.org.
Next Thursday, more than 9 million people in California and 14 other states will drop, cover and hold on under a desk or table, or sit against an interior wall away from glass and heavy furniture, to practice what they will do in an earthquake. More than 668,000 San Diegans have registered for the drill this year so far.
“We encourage families, businesses, and schools to consider what they would do in an earthquake, and practice those actions before and on Oct. 18,” said Chairman Ron Roberts, San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “We especially would like to invite other local governments, cities and locally based federal and state government offices to register employees, provide earthquake preparedness information to them and hold their own drill in seven days.”
The ShakeOut drill can be conducted in as little as 90 seconds and serves as a reminder that earthquakes can occur at any time in any place.
“Besides learning what to do during an earthquake, it is important for everyone to take action in advance at home and work to secure furniture and wall hangings and reduce the risk of injury from those items falling over during intense shaking,” said Holly Crawford, director of the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.
Drill tips and information resources are available on the ShakeOut website. Free family disaster plan templates are also available on www.ReadySanDiego.org in multiple languages. The templates include a list of important items to keep in an emergency kit at home.
“What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards,” said Rick Hindrichs, Director of Disaster Services for the American Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter. “With earthquakes an inevitable part of our future, we must act quickly to ensure that disasters do not become catastrophes – getting a kit, making a plan and being informed are critical measures everyone can take.”
