The Great Shakeout Earthquake Exercise is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 19, at 10:19 a.m., according to Charles W. Wallace, deputy director of Grays Harbor County Emergency Management.
Some government offices, businesses and all Grays Harbor County schools will be evacuated during the exercise, so drivers are encouraged to use caution as they drive throughout the county.
All AHAB sirens will activate with a 90-second siren, along with a voice message in both English and Spanish announcing the test, and then again following the siren activation.
“The exercise should take no longer than 15 to 20 minutes to complete and is to provide awareness to all citizens, enabling them to best protect themselves, their staff, students and family members during an earthquake event,” Wallace said.
When a quake hits
• Drop, cover and hold on. Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit. Stay away from windows. In a high-rise, expect fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
• If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
• If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees and power lines. Drop to the ground.
• If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place and stay in the car until the shaking stops.
After shaking stops
• Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves.
• Check others for injuries. Give first aid for serious injuries.
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Turn off the gas if you smell gas or think it’s leaking. (Remember, only a professional should turn it back on.)
• Listen to the radio for instructions.
• Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, drop, cover and hold on.
• Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
• Use the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
• A process should be in place to account for any staff, student or family member not on location with you — text, phone call etc. Consider who to contact should you find anyone is not accounted for.
