San Bernardino City USD to participate in annual ShakeOut drill

Are You Ready for the Great ShakeOut? California’s annual earthquake drill is coming up on October 21st at 10:21 a.m.

Every year, Californians practice earthquake safety like drop, cover and hold on the third Thursday of October. This year, teachers, students, staff members and visitors will be asked to participate in earthquake preparedness training whether in-person or during distance learning.

“Earthquakes can happen anytime and anywhere. And just because we have one ongoing emergency, the pandemic, it doesn’t mean other natural disasters can’t happen, too,” said San Bernardino City Unified School District Safety and Emergency Manager Eric Vetere.

According to 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 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

Families are also encouraged to sign up for ParentSquare, review their emergency preparedness plans, and practice evacuation procedures throughout the month of October.