The ShakeOut exercise is a way to encourage preparedness among a wide audience through coordinated drills that now include participants from many states, U.S. territories and foreign countries in addition to the millions of Californians who have participated each year.
“Sociologists tell us that seeing other people prepare is the most likely factor in motivating people to prepare,” Greg Renick, public information officer for the California Emergency Management Agency said in an e-mail. “Research also shows that talking about preparedness with family and friends also motivates people to prepare.”
This year Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Guam and British Columbia held ShakeOut drills simultaneously. Meanwhile, insurance and advertising industry representatives from Mexico, China and Japan were on hand to witness an event in Los Angeles in advance of drills planned in those countries.
Schools, businesses and community centers around the state practiced what to do during an earthquake, while several fire departments practiced search and rescue and actions to take following an earthquake. Organizers noted more that than 6 million students, faculty and staff participated in the drill. “Significant increases” were also seen among businesses, medical personnel, federal employees and nonprofit organizations. Participation in Northern California and the Central Valley saw a 50 percent jump in participants.
An event at Bushnell Way Elementary School in Los Angeles included an earthquake drill where students and teachers acted as victims, while local community emergency response teams, the Los Angeles Fire Department and FEMA personnel drilled search and rescue. San Francisco Community Agencies Responding to Disaster also held a tabletop exercise for area nonprofit and faith-based groups.
In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey and Target signed an agreement to improve the earthquake preparedness of the company’s stores. A Target store in Northridge was also the site of an earthquake response drill observed by delegations from Japan, China and Mexico, where drills are being planned using the ShakeOut as a model.
ShakeOut Spreads
The Great California ShakeOut, in its fourth year, inspired a series of similar drills in states around the New Madrid fault zone. The second annual Great Central U.S. ShakeOut exercise is scheduled for Feb. 7, 2012.More than 3 million people in 11 states participated in the first “Great Central U.S. ShakeOut” in April. The drill focused on the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” protective actions and is an outgrowth of the California event’s success.
The date for the 2012 Central U.S. ShakeOut drill coincides with the 200th anniversary of the Feb. 7, 1812, earthquake near New Madrid, Mo, the last of a series of earthquakes that were felt as far away as the East Coast.
“By coordinating our drills for the same day and time, we are building a lasting partnership that will make our programs stronger and more resilient, supporting our mutual goal of earthquake awareness and emergency preparedness,” Heather Lyle, director of Integrated Public Safety/Emergency Management British Columbia, said in a statement.
