Great SouthEast ShakeOut Regional Earthquake Drill, Oct. 19
Major earthquakes can happen anywhere. On Thursday, October 19, at 10:19 a.m., NOVA will participate in The Great SouthEast ShakeOut Regional Earthquake Drill. This is your chance to learn how to protect yourself in the event of an earthquake. The goal of the drill is to prevent a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe. To respond quickly, you must practice often. You may have only seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake before strong shaking knocks you down or something falls on you.
What do I do?
On Oct. 19 at 10:19 a.m., an announcement will be made over intercom, telephone system and display panels to start the drill. Once the announcement is made, you should DROP, COVER and HOLD ON!
The timeline will be as follows:
10:19 a.m.: An announcement will be made that the drill is starting: “This is the start of the Regional Earthquake Drill. Please DROP, COVER and HOLD ON!”
At this time, you should:
DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and reduces your chances of being hit by falling or flying objects.
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.
- Stay on your knees; bend over to protect your vital organs.
HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
- Under shelter: Hold onto it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts.
- No shelter: Hold onto your head and neck with both arms and hands.
Or adapt to your situation. If you have difficulty getting onto the ground or cannot get back up without help, then follow these recommendations:
If you use a cane: DROP, COVER and HOLD ON or sit on a chair, bed, etc., and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep your cane nearby so you can use it when the shaking stops.
If you use a walker or a wheelchair: LOCK your wheels (if applicable). If using a walker, carefully get as low as possible. Bend over and COVER your head and neck with your arms, a book or a pillow. Then HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
For additional earthquake safety actions (including for situations when you cannot access shelter), read the instructions in the linked PDF file.
10:25 a.m.: An announcement will be made that the drill is over: “The earthquake drill is over. Please evacuate your building.” At this time, evacuate the building and report to your exterior assembly area. Individuals who are mobility challenged and unable to exit the building should proceed to a designated area of assistance. Review NOVA’s Emergency Action Plan for more information.
10:35 a.m.: No announcement will be made, but the drill has officially concluded. You should re-enter your building and go back to your office or continue class as scheduled.
Submitted by:
David Cook, OEM, DCook@nvcc.edu