SUBJECT:

Earthquake Preparedness/The Great California ShakeOut – October 20, 2016

California is earthquake country and with the recent small magnitude earthquakes happening near the Salton Sea, it is a good time to remind the UC San Diego community about the importance of earthquake preparedness.

Official rescue teams, emergency managers, researchers and school safety advocates all agree that “Drop, Cover and Hold On” is the appropriate action to reduce risk of injury and death during earthquakes. Do not run outside. Do not stand in a doorway. If an earthquake occurs, Drop, Cover and Hold On until the shaking stops then proceed outside to a safe location. For more information about how to prepare for and survive an earthquake, visit: http://www.earthquakecountry.org/ and http://go.ucsd.edu/2d9ZpcB.

A great time to practice what to do during an earthquake is by participating in the Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill on October 20, 2016. UC San Diego will participate in the drill, which begins at approximately 10:15 a.m. The goal of the ShakeOut is to prepare all Californians to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in the event of an earthquake. With more than 8.5 million registered participants, the Great California ShakeOut is the biggest earthquake drill in the nation.

UC San Diego encourages all students, faculty and staff to organize and participate in the drill, which provides the best preparation in the event of a large-scale emergency. Learn how you can participate and log your activities by visiting http://go.ucsd.edu/2da2gSF.

During the ShakeOut, UC San Diego will also use the Triton Alert emergency notification system. The system will send a test message to all ucsd.edu accounts via email. Students, faculty and staff will also receive text and phone notifications unless the user has opted out. Users can update emergency contact information by going to http://go.ucsd.edu/2dyFnLp.

For assistance with organizing your drill or information regarding the exercise, please contact Dismas Abelman, Emergency Manager at dabelman@ucsd.edu or 858-534-5451.

Thank you for your assistance in helping to keep our campus community healthy and safe.

Daniel B. Gough Director