At 10:22 a.m. on October 22, 2014, more than 87,000 Montanans will simultaneously "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in what has become the world’s largest earthquake drill. Joining millions of others across the United States and around the world, Montanans will practice the earthquake safety technique that is widely regarded as one of the best ways to protect against injury during major earthquakes.
"The Montana ShakeOut is a great and simple way to prepare for earthquakes. These three steps—Drop, Cover, and Hold on—can save lives if the ground starts shaking," Governor Steve Bullock said. "The ShakeOut is one day a year when multiple groups across the state—schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, even state agencies—are simultaneously participating in an earthquake drill. The widespread involvement is a testament to how much we value safety and preparedness in Montana."
Participants can take part in the ShakeOut drill wherever they find themselves on October 22 at 10:22 AM—at home, at work or while traveling. Here is how "Drop, Cover and Hold On" works:
"As in any potential emergency situation, practicing what to do ahead of time promotes an automatic response if and when the ‘real’ event happens," noted Marilyn Cameron, Director of Environmental Health & Safety at Montana Tech. "I encourage everyone on campus to participate in this important earthquake drill." An emergency text message will be sent to the Montana Tech campus at 10:22 a.m. on October 22, telling faculty, staff and students to ‘drop, cover and hold on!’
Faculty, staff, students, and parents who are not subscribed to Montana Tech’s emergency notification system, are encouraged to do so by visiting http://www.mtech.edu/env_health_safety/emergency/docs/TextMessagingSystem.pdf.
To learn more about the Great Montana ShakeOut, go to http://www.shakeout.org/montana/.
The 2014 Great Montana ShakeOut is supported by the Governor’s Office of Community Service, State of Montana Disaster and Emergency Services, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, MT Dept. of Administration, MT Dept. of Public Health and Human Services, American Red Cross of Montana, and multiple partners across the state. At the national level, the drills are sponsored by the Earthquake Country Alliance whose members include the Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross, and the United States Geological Survey.