Are you ready to ShakeOut?

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brittney Lindsay
  • 775th Civil Engineer Squadron
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  A major earthquake in a populated area could cause unprecedented devastation in Utah.
What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards. With earthquakes an inevitable part of Utah's future, we must act quickly to ensure that disasters do not become catastrophes.

The Great California ShakeOut in October 2010 involved more than 7.9 million Californians through a broad-based outreach program, media partnerships, and public advocacy by hundreds of partners. The drill is now expanding to other regions of the country.

Utah's ShakeOut is planned for April 17 at 10:15 a.m. Organizations across Hill Air Force Base will be participating as well.

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. 

A 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 2014 ShakeOut drill will be the largest preparedness event in Utah history. To participate, go to www.ShakeOut.org/Utah and pledge your family, school, business, 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 five minute commitment for something that can save your life.

It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone. For more information, visit www.ShakeOut.org/Utah.

(75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs contributed to this article.)