Politics & Government

City, MISD to Participate in Statewide Earthquake Drill

The city and school district will take part in the 2012 ShakeOut Drill, the state's largest earthquake drill on Oct. 18, 2012.

The ground likely won't be shaking at 10:18 a.m. on Oct. 18, 2012, but thousands of Washington residents will “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in The Great Washington ShakeOut, the state's largest earthquake drill ever, according to a city press release.

Major earthquakes can happen anywhere you work, live, or travel in Washington. The ShakeOut Drill is city and school district's chance to practice how to protect ourselves when an earthquake strikes. The goal is to prevent a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe for you, your family, and your community.

At the appointed time, schools and city hall will announce over the intercom “this is a drill and asking everyone to drop/cover and hold” until the simulated shaking stops (about 1 minute). The buildings will then be evacuated and those inside will meet at designated evacuation meeting spots l

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"In a real scenario we would have to wait for fire to search the building and the building inspectors to deem it safe to re-enter," said City Manager Rich Conrad in the press release.

City and school staff do this by planning, preparing and practicing what they will do when an earthquake strikes. Victims in an earthquake only have seconds to protect themselves in an earthquake. Frequent practice results in successful outcomes.

The City of Mercer Island, route: {:controller=>"listings", :action=>"show", :id=>"mercer-island-city-hall"} --> Staff as well as the

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