Great ShakeOut Readies California for Earthquakes

California’s biggest natural hazard threat is earthquakes

To get the university community prepared, on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 10:20 a.m., Cal State East Bay will participate in the 2022 Great ShakeOut, an international day to encourage organizations and individuals to practice what every person should do during and after an earthquake.

The drill provides an opportunity to practice "drop, cover and hold on” for 60 seconds:

• Drop to the ground.
• Cover your head and neck with your arms and seek additional shelter by getting under a sturdy desk or table if one is nearby.
• Hold on to your shelter and be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops.

These key steps are important in an earthquake, but you may need to adapt to your situation. For example, if there is no table or desk near you, drop to the ground and then, if possible, get next to an interior wall of the room. Be in a crawling position to protect your vital organs and be ready to move if necessary. Cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.

If you are in a wheelchair, lock your wheels. Cover your head and neck with your arms or a pillow and hold on until the shaking stops. 

Do not move to another location or run outside. Shaking can quickly become so violent that you may be unable to run or crawl.

Information about the ways you can protect yourself during an earthquake can be found here. 

On Oct. 20, following the cover drill, Cal State East Bay will sound the fire alarms to begin an evacuation drill. Volunteer Team Leaders will direct all people from the buildings to evacuate to the local assembly area.

View assembly points for the Hayward campus.

All buildings will be cleared during this time, with an expected return into the building around 11 a.m. An “all clear” will sound when people may reenter the buildings.

Please note, the food vendors in the Unions will delay their openings on Oct. 20.

During the Great ShakeOut, the university will also test its AlertMe system during this drill. AlertMe sends an email to all students and employees and text messages to everyone signed up to receive notices. Any students or employees who have not signed up for AlertMe are strongly encouraged to do so, as that is how Cal State East Bay gets information out quickly in emergency situations.

An earthquake can happen anytime and preparedness at home and work can prevent further injury or stress. Cal State East Bay Manager of Emergency Management and Business Continuity Catrina Christian has created videos on how to prepare an emergency kit for your home and office. 

“Knowing what to do during an emergency, could save a life,” said Christian. “While everyone's circumstances are different, we should each develop an emergency plan and share it with our family and network.”