The City of Santa Clarita will be participating in the upcoming California ShakeOut Drill, on Thursday, October 21 at 10:21 a.m. This event is one of the largest emergency preparedness drills in United States history and is organized to inspire Southern Californians to be prepared for a natural disaster with a Drop, Cover and Hold On Drill.

Mayor Laurene Weste will be conducting the Shakeout Drill on radio station KHTS AM 1220.

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The concept behind the Drop, Cover and Hold On routine is that during an earthquake, one should DROP to the floor, COVER under a steady desk or table and HOLD ON to it firmly. The drill will last for one minute

“Although there is no way to precisely predict a quake, the risk of death, injury and property loss in an earthquake can be greatly reduced by adhering to earthquake safety,” said Mayor Weste.

City staff will participate in the drill as will Henry Mayo hospital and many schools throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. Some school districts and the hospital will also do amateur radio operations communications status checks with the City.

For more information on earthquake preparedness and the ShakeOut Drill, please contact Donna Nuzzi, the City’s Emergency Services Supervisor, at 661-250-3721 or visit the City’s website, santa-clarita.com.