Great Shakeout: Increase Safety Before, During and After Earthquakes

This month UC San Diego will mark the Great California Shakeout Earthquake Drill on October 17, which is also the 35^th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake, the strongest earthquake to hit the area since the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

• The campus community is invited to learn more about earthquake preparedness and participate in a shake simulator hosted by California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). This event will be near the Central Campus trolley station of the UC San Diego Blue Line on October 14, from 5 a.m. to noon.
• The campus community is also invited to participate in the Great California Shakeout Earthquake Drill on October 17 at 10:17 a.m. Following the drill, learn about emergency preparedness and receive training on hands-only CPR and fire extinguisher use at Warren Mall from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“It’s important to be prepared for earthquakes, especially in California,” said UC San Diego Director of Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness David Ott. “Sign up for Triton Alert emergency notifications and become familiar with campus emergency response procedures. Anyone can take steps now to increase safety before, during and after an earthquake.”

In preparation for an earthquake

Create an emergency supply kit, including food, water, medicine and personal hygiene items.

Assess your space. Consider how you could improve safety by securing objects that might fall, overturn, or slide during shaking. Examples include:

• Tall furniture and equipment
• Equipment and furniture on wheels
• Objects, equipment, containers, and materials in cabinets and on open shelves
• Wall- or ceiling-mounted displays, art, pictures, and mirrors

Take a moment to download the MyShake app. Earthquake Warning California is the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system that could give California residents crucial seconds to take cover before you feel shaking. 

When shaking is felt

Drop under a desk, table, or stairwell or move against an interior wall.

Cover your head with your arms.

Stay away from big windows, shelves, or tall room partitions.

Remain under cover and hold on until the movement subsides.

When shaking stops

If on campus, evacuate the building. Assemble at your designated area and wait for instructions from emergency personnel.

Report missing persons and ruptured utilities to emergency personnel immediately.

Planning for emergencies

Business Continuity Plans detail what a department needs to perform or resume essential functions during the response and recovery phase of an incident, including earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, power outages, hazardous material spills or gas leaks.  

“Business Continuity Plans are an important element of preparing campus for an earthquake or other emergencies,” said UC San Diego Emergency and Mission Continuity Manager Dismas Abelman. “Creating a plan and updating it annually helps the university continue its mission of teaching, research, public service and patient care, despite adverse events.”

For assistance or more information, please contact the Emergency Management & Business Continuity Team at emergency@ucsd.edu  or (858) 295-9819.