The Great Oregon Shakeout is tomorrow!!!

ShakeOut History and Purpose

With nearly 4 million people living and working in Oregon, a major earthquake could cause unprecedented devastation. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what out lives will be like afterward. With earthquakes an inevitable part of Oregon’s future, we must act quickly to ensure that disasters do no become catastrophes.

The Great ShakeOut was created in Southern California in November 2008 and involved nearly 5.5 million Californians through a broad-based out reach program, media partnerships, and public advocacy by hundreds of partners. In early 2009 the decision was made to hold the drill statewide annually on the third Thursday of October. Oregon will be joining them in October of 2011.

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). 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. That’s why we are starting with just one County – it is a learning experience for us too.

To participate, go to www.Shakeout.org/Oregon and pledge your family, school, business, government agency 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 registers (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 commitment of a few minutes for something that can save your life. It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone.

Take one minute to practice something that might save your life.

U of O Duck practices for Earthquake

I am happy to announce that we’ve finalized our “how to” video featuring the Oregon Duck ducking, covering, and holding in preparation of the Great Oregon ShakeOut. Please feel free to share far and wide.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-MycATjypg

Krista


Krista M. Dillon
Senior Planner
University of Oregon Emergency Management
541.346.3588
1209 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1209
http:\\em.uoregon.edu

UofO urged to shake, rattle and roll in Jan. 26 drill

Thousands of Oregonians are expected to “drop, cover and hold on” when Oregon’s largest-ever earthquake drill is staged Jan. 26 by a variety of statewide partners, including the University of Oregon’s Emergency Management Program and Department of Geological Sciences.

The Great Oregon ShakeOut – a one-minute drill that begins at 10:15 a.m. – is modeled after similar drills that have been conducted in California since 2008. Organizers stress the strategy of “drop, cover and hold” as the best strategy for personal safety in the event of an earthquake – drop to the floor, cover yourself underneath a desk or other sturdy furniture and hold on until the shaking stops.

The UO will test its UO Alert! text notification and Smart Classroom systems at the same time as the earthquake drill, to serve as a reminder to participate.

Organizers of the Great Oregon ShakeOut urge those wishing to participate to register before Jan. 26 at http://www.shakeout.org/oregon/. To register for prizes that will be awarded to participating faculty and staff, go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/shakeout.

Great Oregon Shakeout - Register Now!

www.shakeout.org/oregon

Time to 2011 ShakeOut:
1 month, 9 days 0:35:17
At 10:15 a.m. on January 26, 2011,* thousands of Oregonians will "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in The Great Oregon ShakeOut, the largest earthquake drill in Oregon history!

Register now to participate and be counted.

ON THE 199th ANNIVERSARY OF NEW MADRID QUAKE, FEMA URGES THE PUBLIC TO BE PREPARED TODAY

Visit www.Ready.gov to Learn a Few Simple Steps Every Family Should Take AND visit www.shakeout.org/oregon to learn about our upcoming Earthquake drill.

WASHINGTON - Today, on the 199th anniversary of one of the largest earthquakes ever to strike the U.S., the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Ready Campaign is encouraging all Americans to prepare for earthquakes and other disasters by making a new year's resolution to "Resolve to be Ready" in 2011. It only takes a few simple steps to prepare for emergencies, and anyone can visit www.Ready.gov to learn more.

"FEMA is not the team, we're only part of the team," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "We are constantly working with the entire federal family, state and local governments, the private sector, and faith-based and non-profit organizations to prepare for the next disaster, but we will only be as successful as the public is prepared. Today, the 199th anniversary of one of the largest earthquakes to strike the United States, should serve as an important reminder to all of us that disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. Preparing you and your family for emergencies is a great resolution for the coming year - it's simple and easy to keep. Visit Ready.gov for tips and ideas."

The earthquake took place in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), which is the site of several of the largest historical earthquakes to ever strike the continental U.S. and remains a significant risk today. On December 16, 1811, the first of these quakes struck in the NMSZ. The earthquake caused strong shaking throughout the central U.S.--including in what is now the location of Memphis, Tenn., and its impacts were felt as far away as Washington and Ohio. Each of these earthquakes caused sand to erupt at the surface, triggered landslides and was followed by dozens of large aftershocks. The largest of the earthquake in the series, which occurred February 7, 1812, in New Madrid, Mo., caused large areas to be uplifted or dropped down in elevation.

Since then, the regions along the NMSZ have experienced explosive growth in both population and infrastructure. Another series of earthquakes with the magnitude of the 1811 earthquakes could prove catastrophic to the region.

FEMA and its federal partners, non-governmental organizations, and state and local officials will collaborate on a series of outreach efforts, partnerships and events over the next year, leading up to the 200th anniversary of the New Madrid quake - including Earthquake Awareness Month in February, the Great Central U.S. Shakeout and the 2011 National Level Exercise (NLE 2011). These events are designed to educate Americans on what they can do to be better prepared for earthquakes and other catastrophic events.

Individuals and their families can take the following steps to prepare for earthquakes:

Get an emergency supply kit
Make a family communications plan;
Stay informed of the risks in your community;
Check for hazards in the home;
Identify safe places indoors and outdoors; and
Educate yourself and family members.



For more information on preparing for an earthquake or other emergencies, please visit www.Ready.gov. For more information on resolving to be ready in 2011, visit www.Ready.gov/resolve2011. For more information on The Great Central U.S. Shakeout, visit http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/.