Drop, Cover, and Hold on Today at 10:18 A.M.

Many local communities are participating in the Great California Shakeout today at 10:18 a.m. Below are press releases from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and following that from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Following FEMA’s “National Preparedness Month” in September, individuals and communities throughout Humboldt County will participate in the Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill.

Held annually on the third Thursday of October, ShakeOut is set for Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. During the self-led drill, participants practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”. Endorsed by emergency officials and first responders, the safe response to an earthquake is to:

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.
COVER your head and neck.

 If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter.
 If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows).
 Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs.
HOLD ON until shaking stops.
 Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts.
 No shelter: cover your head and neck with both arms and hands.

For persons with disabilities and other access or functional needs, more information as to how you can protect yourself in the event of an earthquake can be accessed at the Earthquake Country Alliance website.
Humboldt County will observe the ShakeOut drill at 10:18 a.m. on Oct. 18. At this time, a test of the Humboldt ALERT system will also be conducted.

Humboldt ALERT is used to notify residents of severe weather, fires, floods, evacuations, and other emergencies. Messages are sent to residents on their preferred contact paths—cell phone, SMS texting, home phone, and email, to ensure real-time access to potentially lifesaving information. In order to receive Humboldt ALERT messaging, you must register. Register online at humboldtgov.org/alerts or call the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services at (707) 268-2500.Earthquake_Protective_Action_Postcard_English

Press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:

 On Thursday October 18, 2018 Mendocino County will test both the MendoAlert and Nixle emergency alert and warning systems. During this testing period, residents who have registered for the system may receive a phone call, a text message, or an email message. The goal of this test, is to better understand any gaps in the existing systems and make improvements for a safer, more prepared County.

On October 18, 2018, at approximately 10:18 AM Mendocino County will begin the alerting processing using both the MendoAlert and Nixle systems. The test is expected to last several hours and residents may receive the alert several hours after the test begins at 10:18 AM.

MendoAlert is used in emergency situations only, and notifications are centered on taking actions to save lives and property. The alerts will be specific to the address you provide when you sign up for MendoAlert. MendoAlert will send notifications via phone call, text message, and email and residents are urged to register multiple forms of communication. This system is considered an opt-in system and residents must register to ensure that they receive vital alerts. Residents can sign up for MendoAlert at www.MendocinoCounty.org/MendoAlert.

Nixle is an alert system which can deliver text messages to residents for any areas requested, regardless of residency. Users may request information in a single zip code, multiple zip codes or County-wide. To register for Nixle, sign up online at https://local.nixle.com/register/ or, using your smartphone, text 888777 and enter “MendoAlerts” (without the quotation marks) to get all alerts throughout Mendocino County. For a specific zip code, text 888777 and enter the zip code. Please note that Nixle does not provide a voice notification/phone call and will only notify registered users via text message and/or email.

The tests are intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of emergency or disaster. To achieve this goal, Mendocino County is asking residents complete a survey to provide feedback on the test. Residents are asked to complete the survey by visiting https://bit.ly/2yuPQyJ after the completion of the test.

This test is being conducted as part of the Great ShakeOut Exercise which is a national and an international preparedness exercise which occurs annually. Mendocino County residents who are interested in hosting their own Great ShakeOut events can find out more information at www.shakeout.org.

For more information and to sign up for alerts, visitwww.MendocinoCounty.org/MendoAlert.