Next Thursday, October 19, is the “Great ShakeOut,” an international earthquake drill where individuals and organizations are encouraged to conduct various levels of training drills, the simplest of which is the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill, and improve their ability to respond to earthquakes.

The Great ShakeOut is intended as a time to practice how to be safer during earthquakes, as well as update any earthquake-related emergency plans or supply stockpiles and secure spaces to prevent damage and injuries from earthquakes. Members are encouraged to register for the event on the website and plan to execute whichever level of drill meets the needs and capabilities of their organization, as well as consider which Great ShakeOut resources to distribute to staff members for their individual planning efforts. Furthermore, consider encouraging staff to download the FEMA app to receive real-time earthquake alerts and applying for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grants to conduct earthquake-related resilience retrofitting. Read more at The Great ShakeOut.