Earthquake Readiness Office of Mission Assurance 1 Earthquake

Earthquake Readiness Office of Mission Assurance 1

Earthquake Readiness U. S. General Services Administration Office of Mission Assurance 2

Earthquake Basics Everyone should know how to protect themselves during an earthquake. Even if earthquakes are rare where you live, they may happen where you or your family travel. Earthquakes strike without warning. Their effects will vary from building to building. The area near the exterior walls of a building is the most dangerous place to be. Windows, facades, and architectural details are often the first parts of the building to collapse. Fire alarm or sprinkler systems may be activated by the shaking. Elevators and stairways may be damaged. Office of Mission Assurance 3

Earthquakes and Injuries The major threat of injury during an earthquake is from falling objects and debris, and many injuries are sustained while entering or leaving buildings. Therefore, during the earthquake, it is important to stay away from this danger zone, stay inside if you are inside and outside if you are outside. Taking the proper actions such as "Drop, Cover, and Hold On", can save lives and reduce the risk of injury. Office of Mission Assurance 4

States at Risk and High Risk • While all states have some potential for earthquakes, 42 of the 50 states have a reasonable chance of experiencing damaging ground shaking from an earthquake in 50 years (the typical lifetime of a building). Scientists also conclude that 16 states have a relatively high likelihood of experiencing damaging ground shaking. These states have historically experienced earthquakes with a magnitude 6 or greater. • The hazard is especially high along the West Coast, Intermountain West, and in several active regions of the central and eastern U. S. , such as near New Madrid, MO, and near Charleston, SC. The 16 states at highest risk are Alaska, Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Office of Mission Assurance 5

USGS National Seismic Hazard Map Displaying intensity of potential ground shaking from an earthquake in 50 years: Office of Mission Assurance 6

What do I need to know: Earthquake Safety • Before an Earthquake--What can I do now to be prepared? • During an Earthquake--What do I need to do when the shaking begins? • After an Earthquake--How do I return to normal or the new normal? Office of Mission Assurance 7

Before an Earthquake Step 1: Secure Your Space by determining what the risks may be in your workplace. Arrange your work area for safety. Make sure that bookcases, large file cabinets and artwork are anchored. Store heavy objects on low shelves. Step 2: Make a Plan to protect yourself and your family. You probably won’t be together, so think about how you will reach other. You can find more information at https: //www. ready. gov/make-a-plan. Step 3: Organize Disaster Supplies and prepare your home: Make your home more resistant to earthquake damage by assessing its structure and contents. Depending on when and how it was designed and built, your house’s weaknesses make it vulnerable to earthquakes. FEMA has many resources to make your home safer at https: //www. fema. gov/earthquakesafety-home. Step 4: Minimize Financial Hardship to ensure that important information and records are readily available. Office of Mission Assurance 8

During an Earthquake Step 5: Drop, Cover, and Hold On as soon as you feel shaking! ● If you are indoors: Identify an inside corner of the room away from windows and objects that could fall on you. ● If you are outdoors: Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. ● If you are in a moving vehicle: Stop as quickly and safely as possible and stay in the vehicle. (Go to http: //www. shakeout. org/dropcoverholdon/ for more details). Office of Mission Assurance 9

Remember: Drop! Cover! Hold On! Office of Mission Assurance 10

After an Earthquake Step 6: Improve Safety after the shaking has stopped, look around for additional hazards. • • Check for injuries. Expect aftershocks. If it’s safe, leave the building and go to a safe place. Drop, Cover, and Hold On during aftershocks. Step 7: Reconnect and Restore after assessing life safety issues, begin recovery actions to return to operating conditions. Office of Mission Assurance 11

Information Resources • The home page for the Great Shake. Out can be found at http: //www. shakeout. org/home. html. • The Shake. Out Drill Broadcast can be played at http: //www. shakeout. org/drill/broadcast/. • The entire Shake. Out Drill Manual specifically for the government can be found at http: //www. shakeout. org/downloads/Shake. Out. Drill. Manual. Government_v 2. pdf. • To read a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, go to www. ready. gov. • General tips for the 2017 National Seasonal Preparedness Messaging Calendar can be found at https: //www. ready. gov/calendar. Office of Mission Assurance 12

Where To Go For More Information Link to youtube PSA: https: //youtu. be/f 8 LIUd. Hv. Vd. M (featuring Dwayne Johnson, “The Rock”) Office of Mission Assurance 13