Drop, cover and hold on for the Great ShakeOut

By MultiCare Health System

Earthquakes happen almost every day in Washington, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Most are too small to be felt or cause damage.

Large earthquakes, the kind that can cause major damage, happen rarely, but are always a possibility. So knowing what to do in case of an earthquake is important for everyone who lives here.

The Great Washington ShakeOut, a statewide earthquake preparedness drill set to take place on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 10:19am, is part of a global initiative to raise awareness about what to do during — and after — an earthquake.

More than 800,000 participants have registered so far in the state to participate in this voluntary drill, including individuals, families, schools, businesses and hospitals.

MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, Pulse Heart Institute and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital have signed up to participate.

At 10:19am on Oct. 19 — that’s 10:19 on 10/19 — employees on these campuses will “Drop, cover and hold on” for 60 seconds.

“Participating in this drill is just one thing that helps us prepare to keep our patients safe in case of an earthquake or other disaster,” says Cindy Kratochvil, BSN, CNRN, manager of the Operations and Logistics Center for Tacoma General.

Operating room and catheter lab staff, as well as any staff supporting an ongoing patient procedure, will pause and assess, rather than “Drop, cover and hold on,” to ensure patient safety.

Do you and your family know how to protect yourselves during an earthquake? Are you prepared for what might come after? Visit the Great Washington ShakeOut’s website for more details about the Great Washington ShakeOut, as well as for other earthquake preparedness resources.

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