OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY

October 10, 2024

ALL ACADEMICS, STAFF AND STUDENTS AT UC SAN DIEGO

With the return of many members of our community to campus, it is important to remember that California remains earthquake country. On average, Southern California experiences over 10,000 earthquakes per year. While most are quite small, some earthquakes can be large and damaging. UC San Diego students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the Great California Shakeout Earthquake Drill on October 17, 2024. This is a great event to practice what to do during an earthquake. The goal of the ShakeOut is to prepare all Californians to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in the event of an earthquake. The drill is scheduled to begin at 10:17 a.m., and with more than six million registered participants, the Great California ShakeOut is the biggest earthquake drill in the nation. Learn what experts recommend to survive an earthquake at http://www.earthquakecountry.org/dropcoverholdon/. Log your activities by visiting https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/emergencies/preparedness/get-ready/shakeout.html.

In preparation of the Great ShakeOut, Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) will partner with California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to host the Shake Simulator. The Shake Simulator allows participants to experience a simulated earthquake in a safe environment. The Shake Simulator will be set up at the Trolley Plaza on campus from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm on Monday, October 14th. Our October 17th activities will include hosting a Great ShakeOut and Gear Up event with UC San Diego Police, Unity in Community on Warren Mall from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We will be featuring emergency preparedness information, Hands Only CPR/AED and fire extinguisher training.

If an earthquake occurs, Drop, Cover and Hold On until the shaking stops, then proceed outside to a safe location. Do not run outside. Do not stand in a doorway. Avoid elevators and use the nearest door with an EXIT sign to leave the building. Follow your department’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or develop one starting at https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/emergencies/preparedness/get-ready/department/index.html. Proceed to your designated assembly area, report for accountability, and stay in the area until you receive direction from emergency responders or authorized UC San Diego staff. 

During the ShakeOut, UC San Diego will send a Triton Alert emergency notification email message to all ucsd.edu accounts. Students, faculty and staff will also receive test text messages if they have provided a cell phone number for this method of delivery. Users can update their emergency contact information by going to http://go.ucsd.edu/2dyFnLp. We will also send the message via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Follow us at @UCSDTritonAlert.

Every UC San Diego department is required to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), which provides detailed information about the evacuation procedures for individual buildings. Take the time to familiarize yourself with your EAP prior to an emergency. If you are not familiar with your EAP, ask your supervisor or advisor for more information. A summary of the University’s emergency response procedures is available at https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/emergencies/preparedness/guide.html. For more information about how to prepare for and survive an earthquake, visit: http://www.earthquakecountry.org/ and http://go.ucsd.edu/2d9ZpcB .

Departments should also update their Business Continuity Plans annually. Continuity planning prepares UC San Diego to continue its mission of teaching, research, public service, and patient care despite adverse events. By proactively gathering critical departmental information, your department will be able to effectively resume business operations in a timely manner.

For assistance with organizing your drill or information regarding the exercise, please contact Dismas Abelman, Emergency & Mission Continuity Manager, at dabelman@ucsd.edu or 858-534-5451. Additional information can be found at:

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

Dismas Abelman
Emergency & Mission Continuity Manager, EH&S

Corey Singleton
Director, EH&S