Drop, Cover, and Hold on!

Jackson County is registered to join the over 510,000 Oregonians and over 40 million people worldwide participating in the annual “Great Oregon ShakeOut Earthquake Drill.” Thursday, October 15th at 10:15 a.m., millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover and Hold On in preparation for an earthquake. Participating in the drill is a great way for you, your family, friends and coworkers to be prepared to survive a large earthquake. Everyone, everywhere, should know how to protect themselves in an earthquake. Even though earthquakes are rare in Jackson County, they may happen where you or your family travel, or perhaps where you or your children may live one day. You can help by telling people you know that you are participating (via social media, e-mail, and in person) and invite them to join you. A one minute “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” earthquake drill may one day minimize injuries or save their life. You and/or your agency can register to participate with us here http://shakeout.org/oregon/register/.

At 10:15 a.m., we encourage you to practice drop, cover and hold on for 60 seconds as if we were having a real earthquake. (Visit the following website for more information: http://www.shakeout.org/oregon/dropcoverholdon/.)

Many of you may already have plans for earthquake safety and response in your agency. In addition to the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” drill, you may wish to have a brief discussion about your plans with staff members. The Earthquake Country Alliance has put together 7 steps to earthquake safety. The 7 steps are simple things you can do to make yourself safer before, during, and after an earthquake. The information in the steps will help you learn how to better prepare to survive and recover, wherever you live, work, or travel.

Step 1: Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items.

Step 2: Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency.

Step 3: Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations.

Step 4: Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance.

Step 5: Drop, Cover, and Hold On when the earth shakes.

Step 6: Improve safety after earthquakes by evacuating if necessary, helping the injured, and preventing further injuries or damage.        

Step 7: Restore daily life by reconnecting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding community.

For more information about ShakeOut, please visit: http://www.shakeout.org/oregon/index.html

 

Additional Earthquake and preparedness information, visit

Oregon Emergency Management - http://www.oregon.gov/omd/oem/pages/plans_train/earthquake.aspx

Jackson County Emergency Management - http://jacksoncountyor.org/emergency/Hazards/Earthquake

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