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Kentucky Emergency Management
KENTUCKIANS PARTICIPATE IN THE GREAT CENTRAL U.S. SHAKEOUT
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb 9, 2012) – More than 426,000 Kentuckians participated in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut Earthquake Drill on Feb. 7 as part of Earthquake Awareness Month in Kentucky as proclaimed earlier by Governor Steve Beshear.
The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, which is an annual, region-wide earthquake drill, involved more than 2.4 million people through a broad‐based outreach program and partnerships with the media and public advocacy. Organized by the Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) that includes the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee, the ShakeOut centered around a simultaneous Drop, Cover and Hold On drill, which allowed individuals, schools, organizations and governments the opportunity to practice the drill.
The 2011 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut was the first such event and was held in nearly 10,000 drill locations. This event was recently honored with national recognition as a recipient of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 2011 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards program for “Outstanding Exercise, Drill, or Event” in Washington D.C. in January of this year.
Feb. 7 was also the 200th anniversary of the last of the 1811-12 earthquakes that destroyed the town of New Madrid, Missouri and created Reelfoot Lake in northwest Tennessee.
Scientists, experts and emergency management officials are aware earthquakes similar to, if not greater than, those that struck in 1811-12 could hit Kentucky anywhere, at any time and are taking steps to educate and prepare Kentuckians and others alike.
“We had a great response, up nearly 75,000 Kentuckians from last year’s ShakeOut,” said David Davis, Kentucky Earthquake Program Manager. “This is due, in part, to great partnerships with the Kentucky Center for School Safety, the National Weather Service, local emergency management and the private sector. I’d be remiss if I didn’t include the general public who took the time to better prepare and protect themselves and their families. You hope to never experience an earthquake, but knowing what to do if one occurs can reduce your risk of injury or save your life.”
Individuals and their families can take the following steps to prepare for earthquakes:
- Know and practice the Drop, Cover and Hold On drill
- Get an emergency supply kit
- Make a family communications plan
-Stay informed of the risks in your community
-Check for hazards in the home
- Identify safe places indoors and outdoors
- Educate yourself and family members
The Kentucky Earthquake Program is overseen by Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM). Additional information on this and other preparedness programs can be found at www.kyem.ky.gov. Kentuckians that participated in the ShakeOut can go to the KYEM website and complete a short, one-minute survey on their participation. Information gathered will be used to better conduct future preparedness drills and communications. For more information on the ShakeOut visit www.shakeout.org/centralus . Both websites offer useful resources and a short video demonstrating the Drop, Cover and Hold On drill.
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