Earthquake Readiness Drill Set for U of A Campus and Across the Country

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – At 10:18 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18 the University of Arkansas will join the rest of the nation in participating in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. 

Earthquakes can and do happen in Arkansas and in Northwest Arkansas, and when you travel you may find yourself in an earthquake-prone area. Unlike other natural disasters, earthquakes are impossible to predict.

The purpose of the earthquake drill is to practice how to protect yourself when an earthquake strikes. It’s important to know the three easy steps that could keep you safe during an earthquake. 

DROP

Drop to your hands and knees wherever you are.  If you are near a sturdy table or desk, then take cover underneath it. Crawl, don’t walk or run to find shelter.

COVER

Cover yourself even if you can’t take shelter under a table. Cover your head or neck with your arm as soon as possible, even if you are crawling to a table. If there is no table or desk near you, drop to the ground and move next to an inside wall of the room. Remain in a crawling position to protect your vital organs and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.

HOLD ON

If you are able to take cover under a desk or table, it’s important to hold on to it because it may move. 

WHAT NOT TO DO

Don’t run during an earthquake -- most injuries are from falling or flying objects. Don’t run outside -- the exterior part of a building is usually the most fragile and you are likely to be hit by falling glass, bricks, or other parts of a building. Past earthquakes and research has shown that a total building collapse is unlikely, and the best way to protect yourself is by taking cover under a sturdy table or protecting your head. 

AFTER THE SHAKING STOPS

Before getting up wait a minute for everything to settle. Look around for hazards above and around you. Carefully exit the building if instructed.

If you cannot participate in the earthquake drill, the U of A Division of Emergency Management encourages you to increase your emergency preparedness by:

• Contacting our division to coordinate a planned evacuation drill
• Check your Building Emergency Action Plan and update it if needed
• Schedule or attend the Preventing Campus Violence training or other emergency type training

For more information on earthquake safety, visit the Campus Safety Website. If you would like more information on how your department, class, or organization can participate in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill, please contact Jessica Post at jsanborn@uark.edu.