Statewide “Drop, Cover & Hold On,” Earthquake Drill

On April 25th from 9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. businesses, schools, and organizations across Washington are encouraged to participate in a Drop, Cover and Hold drill.   During an earthquake, the safest action to take is to drop, cover and hold.

Encourage your co-workers, instructor, supervisor, students and family to participate in this drill on April 25th at 9:45 a.m.

Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold
• Practice taking cover as if an earthquake were taking place. This will make people aware of the safest places in their immediate environment.

Practice Exiting
• Walk through the possible escape routes
• Periodically inspect those routes to make certain they are not cluttered or if they could become blocked by falling debris.

Practice Shutoff  
• Practice turning off electricity at home -   www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/videos/video_turning_off_electricity.shtml
• Practice turning off water at your home - www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/videos/video_turning_off_residential_water.shtml
• Know how to turn off gas, but do not practice this step. Once gas is turned off for any reason, only trained utility personnel should turn it back on.

Know First Aid
• Keep current in first aid and CPR. 

Review Earthquake Plans
• Check and refresh the supply of emergency food and water in your survival kit.
• Check medication and first aid materials for all members of the household.
• Replenish expired supplies of food, water, medicine and batteries at least every 6 months.
• Review the responsibility of each family member after an earthquake.
• Call your family's designated contact person outside the area to remind them of their role.
• Review the college's Emergency Action Plan www.ghc.edu/security/index.html
• Review plans to pick up children and check with schools and daycare centers to ensure the family plan is still appropriate.
• Contact Grays Harbor/Pacific County Emergency Management for information on the county's emergency plan.