Culver City Observer -

Held on the third Thursday of October each year, and this year falling on October 17, the Great California ShakeOut is the largest preparedness event in U.S. history.

It encourages and reminds everyone that as Californians who live in a place where earthquakes are an inevitable part of California’s future, that we must do all we can to prepare and learn to act quickly to ensure that a disaster such as an earthquake, does not become a catastrophe.

On October 17 you have two opportunities to practice your preparedness. You can participate in the California Great ShakeOut with more than 8.8 million other Californians by stopping what you are doing at 10:17 am and practicing Drop, Cover and Hold

On and/or, participate in the City of Culver City’s “ShakeOut” (Annual Disaster Drill) at 7 pm by doing the same. However, you are asked to also utilize the City’s “OK” sign program to let first responders know that you are “OK”.

For those of you who have never participated in the City-Wide Disaster Drill with the “OK” sign program, all you need to do is place an “OK” sign in your window or on your door in a location most visible from the public right-of-way to signal that you and your family are “OK”.

In the event of a real disaster, if your family was not “OK”, you would post nothing and contact 9-1-1 to let them know of injuries, etc.

If you would like more information on how to participate in the Great California ShakeOut, to participate in Culver City’s “ShakeOut” with the “OK” sign program (OK signs are also available for download), to download family disaster plans and disaster supply checklists, please visit http://www.culvercity.org/emergencyprep. Additional information can also be found at http://www.ShakeOut.org.