LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This Thursday, October 18, is International ShakeOut Day and will involve 10 million Californians and counting who will practice "Drop, Cover and Hold On," the protocol recommended by earthquake safety experts as essential for avoiding injury and even death. More than 48 million people elsewhere across the United States and in more than 60 other countries will hold own earthquake drills on this day too as a part of the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills movement.

California participants include people in schools, colleges, businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups, and many others. Find lists of participants along with information on how to conduct and register a ShakeOut drill at ShakeOut.org/california. Additionally, ShakeOut.org/messaging provides ways people can promote and energize ShakeOut in their community. Learn how you can stay safe in a variety of situations at EarthquakeCountry.org/step5 too.

"Everyone, everywhere should know how to protect themselves in an earthquake," said Mark Benthien, Global ShakeOut Coordinator and Outreach Director at the Southern California Earthquake Center. "We also encourage everyone to prepare to survive and recover by following the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety."

Two significant, highly visible ShakeOut media events for ShakeOut are planned in California. For Southern California, a ShakeOut drill featuring the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System, press conference, and resource fair will take place at Los Angeles City Hall. In the Bay Area, a similar event will occur at the City of Berkeley's Civic Center Park. See ShakeOut.org/media for corresponding advisories.

"The annual Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill helps us prepare to survive and recover from the next damaging quake that scientists say could strike at any time," said California Earthquake Authority CEO Glenn Pomeroy. "In addition to practicing how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On, the drill should remind us all of the importance of retrofitting older houses – and financially protecting every home with an earthquake insurance policy."

KEY MEDIA RESOURCES:

ShakeOut.org/media – guidance for promoting and reporting on ShakeOut, lists of ShakeOut media venues, links to content suggestions (B-Roll, graphics, language-support also available at ShakeOut.org/messaging), recent releases, and contacts

CONTACT:

Jason Ballmann
Southern California Earthquake Center
Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills
213.740.1560
ballmann@usc.edu

ShakeOut.org, is managed by the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) at the University of Southern California, with funding from the National Science Foundation, United States Geological Survey, and Federal Emergency Management Agency

SOURCE Earthquake Country Alliance

Related Links

https://www.scec.org/