USGS in Menlo Park participates in Great Shakeout earthquake preparedness drill on Thursday

USGS employees in Menlo Park held a “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” preparedness drill at 10:15 am on Oct 15, 2015. A minute later (after the imaginary shaking stopped) all employees practiced an evacuation of the buildings as a drill to test their readiness.

USGS maintains two emergency sheds on campus with supplies to sustain employees for five days if the need to shelter in place arises. The emergency supply sheds contain food, water, toilet and first aid supplies, tools and many other necessary items.

Michael Ramirez (right), Safety Officer for the USGS campus in Menlo Park coordinated the ShakeOut drill as part of regular preparedness exercises for USGS employees.

Top photo: USGS Administrative Assistant, Barbara Eckert, gets under her desk as she participates in the Great ShakeOut “Drop Cover, and Hold On” drill.