Camp Murray, WA - Washington will join its Western neighbors in Oregon, Idaho, California and British Columbia in the Great Shakeout earthquake drill on Oct. 18 at 10:18 a.m.
Millions on the West Coast are expected to participate in a simultaneous “Drop, Cover, Hold” Drill which will emphasize the importance of emergency preparedness at home, school and the workplace. As part of the Washington ShakeOut in October, participants are encouraged not only to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” but take at least one additional step to ready themselves and their families for earthquakes. Earthquakes are one of the greatest natural hazards for Washington residents, The Great Shakeout Drill will boost public awareness of the state’s earthquake hazard while demonstrating the important of emergency preparedness at home, school and the workplace. - Jim Mullen, Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD) director
Washington State officials hope to register more than 1 million state participants on the exercise website which officially opened this week at http://www.shakeout.org/washington/.
Part of Washington’s preparation for the multi-state coordinated drill in October will be a statewide Drop, Cover & Hold Earthquake Drill at 9:45 a.m. on April 25. The drill will be initiated through the Emergency Alert System using the required monthly test for state broadcasters.
For more information about the Great Shakeout, please contact:
John Schelling, WEMD earthquake, tsunami and volcano program manager, 253-512-7084 or john.schelling@mil.wa.gov
Rosanne Garrand, WEMD public education program coordinator, 253-512-7419 or at rosanne.garrand@mil.wa.gov
Rob Harper, WEMD public information officer, rob.harper@mil.wa.gov
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