City of Redlands prepares for annual California ShakeOut

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Following FEMA’s “National Preparedness Month” in September, individuals and communities throughout the Inland Empire will participate this month in the 11th annual Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill. 

Held annually on the third Thursday of October, the ShakeOut International Day of Action is set for Thursday, Oct. 17 at 10:17 a.m. 

Everyone should know what steps to take before, during and after an earthquake. Visit www.EarthquakeCountry.org/sevensteps to learn about the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety:

Before an earthquake:

  • Secure your space
  • Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan
  • Organize disaster supplies
  • Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance.

During and just after an earthquake:

  • Drop, cover and hold when you feel shaking. Visit www.EarthquakeCountry.org/step5 to learn how to protect yourself in all situations and locations, including safety tips for people with disabilities.
  • Improve safety after earthquakes by evacuating, if necessary, helping the injured, and preventing further injuries or damage. Be ready for aftershocks that may continue for several weeks to months after large earthquakes.

After an earthquake

  • Reconnect and Restore. Restore daily life by reconnecting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding community.
  • To keep phone lines accessible for emergency use, communicate via text message rather than calling.
  • If you have an earthquake insurance policy and have suffered any property damage, contact your insurance agent or company for assistance.

Recent earthquakes serve as a reminder that large earthquakes can occur with little to no warning.  Southern California has several active earthquake faults and experts warn that the region is overdue for a major quake.

The City of Redlands will join millions of Californians on Oct. 17 in increasing our awareness and readiness for a major earthquake. At 10:17 a.m. all City departments at the Redlands Civic Center, Police Annex and other facilities will be evacuated. Those offices will be closed briefly and customers doing business at that time will be advised of the evacuation and directed where to go. The inconvenience will be minor and will last only a few minutes.

Emergency responders will review procedures and communications protocols along with volunteers from the Redlands Emergency Communication Group and the City will activate emergency communications as part of the Emergency Operations Center on Park Avenue to ensure that first responders will receive EOC activation notices in a timely manner.

A key aspect of the ShakeOut is the integration of comprehensive science-based earthquake research and the lessons learned from decades of social science research about why people get prepared.  The result is a “teachable moment” on par with having an actual earthquake (often followed by increased interest in getting ready for earthquakes).  ShakeOut creates the sense of urgency that is needed for people, organizations, and communities to get prepared, to practice what to do to be safe and to learn what plans need to be improved.

To participate in this year’s ShakeOut go to www.shakeout.org/california/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 and how to create a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. All organizers ask is that participants register (so they can be counted and receive communications), and at the minimum practice “drop, cover, and hold on” at the specified time. It is only a five-minute commitment for something that can save your life. It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone.

For more information on the Great California ShakeOut, visit www.shakeout.org/california/.