California Practices Drop, Cover, and Hold On for 9th Annual Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill

More Than 10.5 Million to Participate this Thursday 10/20

News provided by

Southern California Earthquake Center

Oct 19, 2016, 03:47 ET

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 9^thannual Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill on October 20 will involve more than 10.5 million Californians practicing "Drop, Cover and Hold On," the earthquake safety protocol recommended by experts as essential for avoiding injury and even death during earthquakes (see www.ShakeOut.org/dropcoverhldon). In addition, more than 50 million people across the United States and in more than 60 other countries are participating in their own earthquake drills.

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills / Drop, Cover, and Hold On image

California participants include people in schools, colleges, businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups, and many others. See lists of participants along with extensive information on how to participate at www.ShakeOut.org/california.

"ShakeOut encourages cross-sector, whole community conversation and action about earthquake preparedness, inspiring people to make better decisions for how they can prepare to survive and recover," said Mark Benthien, Global ShakeOut Coordinator and Outreach Director at the Southern California Earthquake Center.

"The CEA is proud to support the preparedness goals of the Great California ShakeOut," said Glenn Pomeroy, chief executive officer of the California Earthquake Authority, the state's largest earthquake insurance provider. "The drill is a great reminder of how important it is to know how to protect yourself when the ground shakes. But that's only half the battle. Insuring your home and belongings from earthquake damage is also critical to survive the financial fallout after the next big one strikes."

Media events for the Great California ShakeOut in Southern California on 10/20 include a major exercise at Dearborn Elementary in Northridge; an all-hazards "Safety Day" at Kinecta Federal Credit Union in El Segundo; and a City of Los Angeles exercise at Councilmember Blumenfield's District Office in Reseda. For the Bay Area, Mayor Ed Lee will join students at Bret Harte Elementary School in San Francisco and also AAA California, Nevada, & Utah will host a shake trailer and Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill in Emeryville. Event details can be found here: www.ShakeOut.org/california/media/venues

"One of the most important steps families can take is to prepare themselves before an earthquake occurs," said Marianne Campbell, Vice President of Communications and Community Impact for AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, a proud partner with Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills. "We want to help families in our region by offering engaging ways to learn about preparedness, such as our new 'Road to Ready' game. The more people know, the safer they will be when a disaster strikes." More information about preparedness (exclusive for residents of NorCal, NV & UT) is available at AAA.com/roadtoready.

KEY MEDIA RESOURCE:
www.ShakeOut.org/media – guidance for promoting and reporting on ShakeOut, lists of ShakeOut media venues, links to content suggestions (B-Roll, graphics, language-support), recent releases, and contacts

CONTACT:
Jason Ballmann
Southern California Earthquake Center
213.740.1560
[email protected]

ShakeOut.org, is managed by the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) at the University of Southern California, with funding from the National Science Foundation, United States Geological Survey, and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161019/430504-INFO

SOURCE Southern California Earthquake Center