Courtesy of San Benito County:
Following FEMA’s “National Preparedness Month” in September, individuals and communities throughout San Benito County participated in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill.
The San Benito County Office of Emergency Services wants to thank all of those in the community that participated in this drill, notably this year, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Held annually on the third Thursday of October, the International ShakeOut Day was held this morning at 10:15 AM. During the self-led drill, participants practiced how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”.
Endorsed by emergency officials and first responders, the safe response to an earthquake is to:
DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.
COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand • If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter
If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)
Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs
HOLD ON until shaking stops
Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.
The updated information and supporting data can be found at http://www.shakeout.org/index.html. For any local questions or concerns you can call the San Benito County Office of Emergency Services at 831-636-4168.
