The Earthquake Country Alliance has organized the ShakeOut, which centers on realistic portrayal of what could happen in a major earthquake on the southern end of the San Andreas Fault. Created by over 300 experts led by Dr. Lucy Jones of the U.S. Geological Survey, the scenario outlines a hypothetical 7.8 magnitude earthquake originating near the Salton Sea, which would have the potential to devastate the region.While earthquakes cannot be predicted or prevented, steps can be taken to prepare in order to make a difference in how our lives will be after an earthquake. Secure your space by strapping top-heavy furniture, water heaters, and other items to walls or tabletops. Strengthen your buildings walls and foundation if necessary.Of course, it is important to have resources to protect yourself and others, should assistance be slow in arriving. Three to 14 days worth of water for each person (and don’t forget the pets!), battery operated radio and flashlight, non-perishable food, and a fire extinguisher, among other supplies, can be valuable resources to have stored and ready for such a disaster.With a goal of at least five million participants, the ShakeOut drill will be the largest in U.S. history. To participate, go to www.ShakeOut.org/register and pledge your family, school, business, or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered participants will receive information on how to plan their drill, connect with other participants, and encourage a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone.For more information, visit www.ShakeOut.org, and be sure to visit the official ShakeOut Blog at http://greatsocalshakeout.blogspot.com/.
Great ShakeOut: Faux massive earthquake focus of statewide exercise
November 07, 2008
Santa Paula News
Come November 13 you might want to shake, rattle and roll, but we’re not talking about dancing.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesCome November 13 you might want to shake, rattle and roll, but we’re not talking about dancing. Rather, The Great ShakeOut of 08 is a statewide emergency preparedness exercise centered on a faux massive earthquake that will hit the San Andres Fault at 10 a.m.“I would like the community and businesses to participate” in the Great Shakeout, said Santa Paula Fire Captain Steve Lazenby, the city’s Emergency Preparedness coordinator. And participating can be easy: “Even if it’s just a ‘Duck, Cover and Hold’ drill,” Lazenby said preparedness is a key to safety and living out the aftermath of a real emergency or disaster.On November 13 the community and businesses can also make sure they have an up to date emergency kit and adequate supplies for every member of the family or employee, practice a drill that includes a place to meet outside the evacuated area, and make sure everyone shares a contact number with someone out of the area - and preferably out of state - to check in with in the case of emergency.Lazenby said the city will “activate our Emergency Operations Center and spend about two hours responding to a disaster” in a tabletop drill. He urges Santa Paulans to check the Great ShakeOut of 08 website to watch the animated video that shows, “in real time, the quake and projected movements... and watch how long it lingers in the Santa Clara River Valley.”The ShakeOut drill will occur in houses, businesses and public spaces throughout Southern California at 10 a.m. on November 13, where - with 22 million living and working in the area - a major earthquake could cause an unprecedented catastrophe. “What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like after,” Lazenby noted.
