What is the Great ShakeOut?
The Great ShakeOut is an international initiative for earthquake preparedness. Millions of people worldwide will participate in this annual earthquake drill at work, school, and even home. This scheduled drill is a great way to practice and prepare for what to do when an earthquake strikes. Coast Community College District is a proud participant in the Great ShakeOut.
When is the Great ShakeOut?
This year's Great ShakeOut is on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17th, 2024, at 10:17 a.m.
How will this be communicated beforehand?
GWC Public Safety has partnered with our Marketing department to provide information regarding the Great ShakeOut via the following avenues:
- Creation of a dedicated Public Safety webpage for the Great ShakeOut
- Email notification using appropriate listserv information
- Posters in common areas of campus buildings
- Social media posts
- Banner on the GWC webpage
- Messaging through Slate
- RAVE Alert’s on the day of the event
How will I be notified?
RAVE Alert is the emergency notification system utilized by the Coast Community College District (including Golden West College). RAVE gives GWC Public Safety the ability to send out mass notifications regarding emergency situations and/or other important information via text and/or email. GWC Students, Faculty, and Staff are automatically enrolled in RAVE Alert using the contact information listed in their self-service employee portal. All staff and students currently enrolled in a class at Golden West College will receive "RAVE Alerts".
What will happen?
- On Thursday, October 17th, 2024, at 10:17 a.m., an emergency notification will go out to the entire Golden West College campus community through RAVE alert via text message and email.
- The messaging will inform staff, students, and those who have opted to receive emergency notifications that the Great ShakeOut drill is starting
- The campus community will be instructed to drop (get down on your hands and knees), cover (get underneath a desk or table if possible, if not, go to an interior wall and sit with your back against the wall, covering your head with your arms), and hold on for 1 minute to simulate what they should do during an active earthquake.
- The instructions will advise that after the first minute, an evacuation of the building will occur. Please make your way out of the building using the stairs and head to your designated evacuation assembly area
- Building Marshals will be assisting in the evacuation of each building on campus
- Building Marshals will confirm that their assigned building is evacuated
- Assembly Area Coordinators will receive the information from Building Marshals that the building is clear
- Assembly Area Coordinators will inform the Emergency Operations Center
- A follow-up message will be sent out through RAVE Alert of all clear with instructions that it is safe to re-enter buildings
- Faculty and Staff will receive an after-action form to fill out to solicit feedback regarding the drill to make improvements to our processes and procedures for the future.
The entire drill is slated to last approximately 25 minutes from start to finish.
Approximate Timeline of what will happen:
- 10:17 a.m. - RAVE Alert will be sent to the entire GWC campus using text and emails
- Message will include information about drop, cover, hold and then instructions to evacuate the building and head to the designated assembly area
- 10:18 a.m. - Participating faculty and Building Marshals will begin to evacuate their classrooms and each campus building
- Please use the stairs and exit out the building at the nearest exit
- Proceed to your designated Assembly Area
- Participating faculty members should take a count of their students
- Assembly Area Coordinators and Building Marshals will do a count of faculty/staff
- After information regarding all buildings evacuated and all participating individuals accounted for are provided to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a follow-up alert will be sent
- 10:38 – 10:42 a.m. - Follow up RAVE Alert will be sent to the entire GWC Campus using text and email
- Will express thanks for participating and advise that it is safe to return to your building
I have a class during this time but do not want to participate. What do I do?
GWC Public Safety has created a form for faculty members to opt-out of participation in the Great ShakeOut. These forms are due by Thursday, October 10th at 5 pm to provide the Public Safety Department with enough time to process the requests.
Great ShakeOut Faculty Opt-Out Form
- Public Safety will create an opt-out notice and place it on the classroom doors
- Public Safety will create a list of rooms per building that have opted out to provide to the appropriate Building Marshal so they can skip that classroom during the evacuation portion of the drill
- Please note that although a faculty member might choose to opt-out of participation in the emergency response drill, all campus community members will receive the emergency notifications
What does “Drop, Hold, Cover” Look Like?
What to do in the event of an Earthquake (videos)
Earthquake Guidance When Near a Sturdy Desk or Table
Earthquake Guidance When in Stadium or Theater
Earthquake Guidance When You're Driving
Earthquake Guidance for People with Mobility Disabilities
How can I prepare for an Earthquake?
The Earthquake Country Alliance has developed 7 steps to help you prepare, survive, and recover from an earthquake.
- Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items
- Plan to be safe by creating your emergency plan and deciding how you will communicate.
- Organize emergency supplies in convenient locations
- Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance coverage.
- Drop, Cover, and Hold On or other recommended actions such as Lock (wheels), Cover, and Hold On - if you feel sharking or get an alert
- Improve Safety, after earthquakes by evacuating if necessary, helping the injured, and preventing further injuries or damage.
- Reconnect and Restore daily life by reuniting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding community.
To learn more, go to Earthquake County Seven Steps for more details.
Click HERE to view a one page Seven Steps guide.
Where can I find more information?
Great ShakeOut
Great ShakeOut for Higher Education
Drop, Cover, Hold Information
Great ShakeOut Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions
Statewide California Earthquake Center
Southern California Earthquake Data Center
