Since 2004, FEMA has designated the month of September as National Preparedness Month (#NatlPrep). Now is a great time to prepare yourself and those in your care for earthquakes and other disasters. The most important step you can take prior to a disaster is to be ready to take care of yourself before the next one occurs.
Following National Preparedness Month, individuals and communities in more than 45 States and Territories will participate in Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills. Now held annually on the third Thursday of October, the ShakeOut is set for Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:16 a.m.* During the self-led drill, participants practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”. Endorsed by emergency officials and first responders, the proper response to an earthquake is to:
– Drop to the ground
– Take Cover under a sturdy table or desk if possible, protecting your head and neck and,
– Hold On until the shaking stops
CUSEC, with our Member and Associate States, coordinates regional activities for the Great Central U.S. and Great SouthEast ShakeOut Earthquake Drills. Oct. 16 marks the fifth Central U.S. ShakeOut drill taking place in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee. The SouthEast ShakeOut, now in its third year, includes Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
We encourage all of our newsletter subscribers to participate in this unique preparedness activity. To get started or to pledge your participation in the ShakeOut, please visit www.shakeout.org.
