2010 ShakeOut drill: "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" 10:21 AM on October 21

Are You Ready to ShakeOut?
The 2010 ShakeOut is scheduled for 10:21 AM on October 21,
and as of October 18 has over 7.1 million participants.

With 38 million people living and working in California, a major earthquake could
cause unprecedented devastation. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will
determine what our lives will be like afterward. With earthquakes an inevitable
part of California’s future, we must act quickly to ensure that disasters do not
become catastrophes.

The Great Southern California ShakeOut in November 2008 involved nearly 5.5
million Californians through a broad-based outreach program, media partnerships,
and public advocacy by hundreds of partners. In early 2009 the decision was
made to hold the drill statewide annually on the third Thursday of October. With
this in mind, the Earthquake Country Alliance organized the 2009 Great California
ShakeOut, a statewide earthquake drill at 10:15 AM on October 15, with over 6.9
million participants. 

A key aspect of the ShakeOut is the integration of comprehensive science-based
earthquake research and the lessons learned from decades of social science
research about why people get prepared. The result is a “teachable moment” on
par with having an actual earthquake (often followed by increased interest in
getting ready for earthquakes). ShakeOut creates the sense of urgency that is
needed for people, organizations, and communities to get prepared, to practice
what to do to be safe, and to learn what plans need to be improved.
Not just any drill will accomplish this; it needs to be big. It must inspire
communities to come together. It must involve children at school and parents at
work, prompting conversations at home. It must allow every organization, city, etc.,
to make it their own event.

The 2010 ShakeOut drill will be the largest preparedness event in U.S. history. To
participate, go to www.ShakeOut.org/register and pledge your family, school,
business, government agency or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered
participants will receive information on how to plan their drill and how to create a
dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. All organizers ask is that
participants register (so they can be counted and receive communications), and at
the minimum practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" at the specified time. It is only a
commitment of a few minutes for something that can save your life. It all begins
with registering, which is free and open to everyone.
For more information or to register, visit www.ShakeOut.org.
(In Spanish at www.ShakeOut.org/espanol).