The City of Malibu will join millions of people in Southern California and around the world to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” for the Great ShakeOut, the world’s largest simultaneous earthquake preparedness drill, on Thursday, October 18 at 10:18 AM at City Hall. After the ShakeOut, staff and visitors will practice a short evacuation drill. The public is encouraged to join the exercise in person at City Hall or conduct the drill on their own at their home, workplace or school. There are already 9.7 million people registered to participate across Los Angeles County, 7.8 million statewide, and 58 million people worldwide.
The goal of the Great ShakeOut, now in its 10th year, is to get people prepared for major earthquakes by training on the safest way to respond before, during and after an earthquake. In addition to the drill, emergency supplies will be available for purchase from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at City Hall from emergency preparedness expert Cari Butler, President of the Emergency Café.
How to Participate with the City of Malibu
Come to City Hall on Thursday, October 18 at 10:00 AM to “Drop, Cover and Hold On.” Starting at 10:00 AM, the City of Malibu’s Public Safety Manager Susan Dueñas will explain the ShakeOut drill and offer participants information on what to do during an earthquake and how to get prepared. At 10:18 AM, Malibu City staff and visitors will Drop Cover and Hold On for one minute at City Hall. Staff and visitors will then practice an evacuation drill. The public is encouraged to participate. This is a great opportunity to teach kids about earthquake preparedness and get a head start on creating family emergency preparedness plans.
How to Participate on Your Own
Individuals or groups, such as houses of worship, companies or schools, can conduct the exercise on their own. Just “Drop, Cover and Hold On” for one minute at 10:18 AM on October 18. The www.ShakeOut.org site has extensive earthquake preparedness information and resources available, compiled by the Southern California Earthquake Center at the University of Southern California. According to experts at the Southern California Earthquake Center, “Drop Cover and Hold On” is the safest immediate 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 and bend over to protect vital organs
HOLD ON until shaking stops
• Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand and be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
• No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands
To register for the Great ShakeOut and to find earthquake preparedness information, visit www.ShakeOut.org. For more information, call Susan Dueñas, Public Safety Manager, at 310-456-2489 ext. 313 or email SDuenas@malibucity.org.