Great ShakeOut this week: Get ready to drop, cover and hold on
October 14, 2013 •
We’ve all heard the reports: Whether it’s on the Hayward fault or one of the area’s lesser-known fractures, there is a 63 percent chance that we will experience a magnitude 6.7 or stronger earthquake in the next 30 years. So it’s a good idea to be prepared.
Join UCOP and more than 9 million Californians this Thursday, Oct. 17, in the largest earthquake drill of the year, The Great California ShakeOut.
At 10:17 a.m., you will hear the drill announced in UCOP’s office locations. All employees should drop, cover and hold on for 60 seconds by dropping to the ground, taking cover under a sturdy table or desk, and holding on until the shaking stops.
That shaking will only be imaginary, but using your imagination for the drill will help you prepare for what you should do in an actual earthquake, whether at the office or at home.
If there isn’t a table or desk nearby, drop to the ground in an inside corner of the building and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
Sign up for UCOPAlert
If you haven’t already done so, take the time to sign up for UCOPAlert, OP’s off-hours emergency notification system. The system delivers notifications to your home phone, personal cell phone or email outside normal business hours. If you sign up, you’ll get alerts about building closures, transit problems and other situations that may affect your ability to come to work.
You can find complete instructions for how to sign up for the alerts on the UCOPAlert webpage. Registering is entirely voluntary but strongly encouraged so you can stay abreast of emergencies.
Floor wardens to meet Oct. 16
In preparation for the drill, Franklin Chief Engineer Matthew Leet will hold a meeting of the Franklin floor wardens, Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in 12322 Franklin.
The floor wardens are Franklin’s team of local emergency deputies who assist with fire drills and other emergency procedures. OP needs more wardens, so if you’re interested in adding a bright orange vest to your wardrobe, come to the Oct. 16 meeting and learn more.
You can find a wealth of home and office earthquake preparedness information on the UCOP website’s Personal Emergency Preparedness webpage, including how to develop a disaster plan and create a disaster supply kit.
