THE GREAT CENTRAL U.S. SHAKEOUT EARTHQUAKE DRILL IS OCTOBER 17TH

    Posted: 10/9/2013
    COLUMBUS, OHIO – Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) is urging the community to join millions of people who will Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:17 a.m. on October 17, 2013 in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. Participating is a great way for your family, school or organization to be prepared to survive and recover quickly from an earthquake. 

    Major earthquakes may happen anywhere you live, work or travel in the Central U.S. The ShakeOut is a chance to practice how to protect ourselves, and for everyone to become prepared. The goal is to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes. Drop, Cover, and Hold On is the recommended safety action should an earthquake occur. During an earthquake, individuals are advised to: 

    • Drop to the ground 
    • Take Cover under a sturdy table or desk if possible, and protect their heads and necks 
    • Hold On until the shaking stops 

    “Earthquakes remain an identified risk for Franklin County and every resident should know how to protect themselves,” said Michael R. Pannell, Director of Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security. “By participating in the Central U.S. ShakeOut, we can all become better prepared for and learn how to survive during an earthquake.” 

    To participate in the 2013 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut : 

    • Register at www.ShakeOut.org/centralus/register to be counted in the ShakeOut Drill and get updates. 
    • Download a Drill Broadcast recording from www.ShakeOut.org/drill/broadcast 
    • Have a two-minute “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill at 10:17 a.m. on October 17th. 
    • You may also want to coordinate an exercise of your emergency plan. 
    • Update disaster supply kits. 
    • Discuss what you learned and make improvements. 

    FCEMHS is a local government agency which coordinates county-wide emergency/disaster planning, education, warning, response and recovery.