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FEMA Encourages Participation in Oct 16 Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill

With earthquakes possible in most states, all Americans should practice what to do.

Over 40 U.S. states are at risk of an earthquake—yet fewer than 1 in 3 adults participated in an earthquake drill within the past year, according to a recent survey by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. To increase earthquake preparedness, FEMA encourages all Americans to participate in this year’s Great ShakeOut earthquake drill this Thursday, October 16, at 10:16 a.m. local time.

“Past practice and previous participation in a drill can make all the difference in an emergency,” FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said. “Everyone should know how to drop to the ground, cover themselves under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on to it until the shaking stops. It needs to happen with enough regularity so that it becomes second nature during an actual earthquake.”

People who have mobility disabilities and cannot drop should still cover and hold on. They should then stay put and not try to transfer during the shaking. Everyone who is staying put should cover their head and neck with their arms or a pillow until the shaking stops. People who use wheelchairs should lock their wheels.

Nearly 25 million people worldwide are expected to participate in this year’s Great ShakeOut—including over 13 million students and nearly 1 million businesses. Anyone can register their involvement and learn how to participate for free at www.shakeout.org.

FEMA supports the Great ShakeOut as part of America’s PrepareAthon!, which is a community-based campaign that asks everyone to take an action—such as a disaster drill or group discussion—to increase their preparedness. Information on America’s PrepareAthon! is available at www.ready.gov/prepare.

Additional tips for preparing for earthquakes are also available www.ready.gov/earthquakes.

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The Great ShakeOut is an annual public earthquake drill coordinated and supported by the Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) and the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). NEHRP is a partnership of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

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FEMA Encourages Participation in Oct 16 Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Receives A Nearly $1.5 Million FEMA Grant to Address Volunteer Firefighter Health

DENTON, Texas — The University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at Houston has received nearly $1.5 million in preparedness funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address the health of volunteer firefighters.

The UT Health Science Center at Houston will use the FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant to assess the effectiveness of an internet-based firefighter health and wellness program for volunteer fire departments. A national sample of volunteer fire departments will be recruited for a six-month-long study that will focus on nutrition and fitness for the firefighters. Modifications will be made to the program based on the study findings.

“Volunteer firefighters are integral to the firefighting profession and to the communities they support,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are proud to be a part of this important effort to boost their health and well-being.”

FP&S grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. These grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and protect firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal is to reduce injury and prevent death among high-risk populations. For more information about FP&S grants, visit http://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program/fire-p….

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.