Jackson County officials will also test new alert system during worldwide earthquake safety drill
Ashland.news staff report
Jackson County will participate in what has been dubbed the “world’s largest earthquake drill” at 10:16 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, as those in the county, state, nation, and globe will be urged to practice the earthquake safety measure: drop, cover, and hold on.
The yearly event allows an opportunity for people in their homes, schools, and businesses to assess their disaster preparedness, refine their emergency safety plans, and practice what to do in the event of a real earthquake, according to a news release from Jackson County Emergency Management.
Emergency officials encourage people to complete small tasks before a disaster, including putting together a basic emergency supply kit and figuring out a shelter strategy. Those safety measures ensure that people and their families have what they need to be safe regardless of where they are.
More information and resources to plan a drill can be found at shakeout.org/Oregon.
Jackson County Emergency Management will conduct a test of its new alert notification system in conjunction with the “Great ShakeOut,” the county’s media release noted. Emergency officials said the system provides vital information during various emergency scenarios.
To raise awareness and educate the public on disaster preparedness, those registered to get the notifications will receive an alert between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday. The alerts will be sent via phone, text and email, emergency officials said.
Those looking to register or update an alerts account can go to jacksonalerts.gov.
Email Ashland.news associate editor Steve Mitchell at [email protected].
