Citrus College will participate in the statewide California Great ShakeOut drill at 10:16 a.m. on Oct. 16. Students and employees are encouraged to take part in the emergency preparedness exercise, which will simulate an earthquake and evacuation procedures.
During the drill, everyone on campus will be instructed to drop, cover and hold for about one minute. The exercise will then be followed by a campuswide evacuation drill, according to Ben Macias, director of Campus Safety.
Participants are asked to follow key safety procedures:
– Do not use elevators.
– Do not attempt to evacuate people in Emergency Evacuation Assistance Areas; trained staff will respond if this were a real emergency.
– Move about 300 feet away from buildings and evacuate to the nearest Emergency Gathering Area.
– Remain outside until an “all clear” message is given.
– Faculty should take roll call sheets to account for students.
“This is an exercise that, quite literally, could save lives,” Macias said in an email.
The California Great ShakeOut drill is held annually to help communities practice earthquake safety. More information about emergency preparedness is available on the Citrus College Campus Safety website.
