Today is the day of the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. 10:17AM is the hour — in your time zone. You would think that people who are aware of the drill would want to have their staff participate. But, and there is a "but," I've heard from people about businesses that "don't want to be bothered" and have the "distraction" of having what amounts to less than a five-minute drill.
On the more positive side, I've heard from folks who grew up in the Midwest and Drop, Cover and Hold drills were part of their school experience.
Hopefully you all participated today, no matter where you are. Yes, even New York has an earthquake hazard!
Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.
