Great Central U.S. Shakeout” Set For October 20, 2016

NEWS RELEASE

FRANKFORT, Ky. – (Oct 19, 2016) – Following FEMA’s “National Preparedness Month” in September, individuals and communities throughout Kentucky are encouraged to participate in the 2016 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut Earthquake Drill.

Held annually on the third Thursday of October, the ShakeOut International Day of Action is set for Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, at 10:20 a.m. local time. During the self-led drill, participants practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” (http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/dropcoverholdon/ ) Endorsed by emergency officials and first responders, the safe response to an earthquake is to:
– DROP to the ground
– Take COVER under a sturdy table or desk if possible, protecting your head and neck
– HOLD ON until the shaking stops

According to Kentucky Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett, “Although the last major earthquake which impacted Kentucky was recorded in December of 1811 and early 1812, an earthquake can occur at any time wherever we work, live, or travel within this region and beyond. Everyone, everywhere should know how to protect themselves from an earthquake.”

The ShakeOut is free and open-to-the-public. Participants will include individuals, schools, businesses, local and state government agencies, and many other groups. To take part in the ShakeOut, individuals and organizations are asked to join the drill by registering to participate at http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/register/ . Once registered, participants receive information on how to plan earthquake safety drills and become better prepared for earthquakes and other disasters.

To date, more than 303,000 Kentuckians have registered for the drill and over 2.7 million people are registered to participate in this region, however, Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills will also occur throughout most of the nation and in several countries worldwide. More than 52 million people around the globe are expected to participate. In addition to safety drills, many participants take extra steps to become more prepared for earthquakes or other disasters. Printable certificates of participation are available on the ShakeOut website, as well.

The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is being coordinated by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium and its member and associate states, Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and dozens of other partners.

For additional information on the ShakeOut and Kentucky’s Earthquake Preparedness Program, visit
http://kyem.ky.gov/Preparedness/Pages/Earthquake.aspx where you can like KYEM on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

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