City Hall to Participate in 'ShakeOut' Earthquake Drill

At 10:17 a.m. on Oct. 17, Sonoma Valley residents who haven’t heard of the Great California Shakeout might happen upon what they think is a very strange flash mob.

In fact, the Shakeout is a statewide emergency preparedness exercise in which more than 9 million people are set to participate in a massive, statewide earthquake drill.

Participants all over California will practice a “duck, cover and hold on” drill at the same time starting at 10:17 a.m. The drill involves ducking under a table or desk, covering your head and neck with your hands and holding onto the leg of the table or desk so that if the furniture moves, you move with it.

City Manager Carol Giovanatto said Monday that the City of Sonoma will participate in the 2013 Great California ShakeOut. City officials will activate the Emergency Operations Center with the Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority leading them through scenarios to test their emergency preparedness for an actual citywide disaster, she said.

Individuals or groups can participate in the drill wherever they are at 10:17 a.m. on October 17. The ShakeOut is an opportunity to practice how to protect ones’ self and prevent a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe.  Those wishing to participate can register at www.shakeout.org/california.  

To register for Sonoma’s local event, contact Debra N. Rogers at drogers@sonomacity.org or call 933-2229.  Participant groups will be asked to call in to the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during the drill to report their group’s participation.