Brace yourself for the big shake, as Californians statewide are slated to participate in the nation's largest emergency drill in history. The Great California Shakeout is scheduled for tomorrow, November 13, 2008 at 10am when a record-setting 5.2 million participants in private homes, schools, businesses, government offices, and public places will "drop, cover, and hold on" to practice earthquake preparedness.
The events and information shared in the Great Southern California Shakeout are based on a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the San Andreas Fault line. A series of simulation exercises, lectures, live entertainment and community events are planned throughout this week in observance of this drill designed to raise safety awareness and sharpen skills in preparation for such a quake.
The calendar of events includes the International Earthquake Conference, hosted by the City of Los Angeles, where international decision-makers will meet to share strategies and cutting-edge technology, the big drill itself, AfterShock (a multi-player, multi-media simulation online,) and the Get Ready Rally at Nokia Plaza in downtown L.A. sponsored by Art Center College of Design. For a complete description of events, tips on what you can do to prepare for an earthquake, or to register for any of the ShakeOut's scheduled programs, visit www.shakeout.org.