USU, others prepare for statewide earthquake drill

Utah State University will be part of Tuesday’s “Great Utah ShakeOut,” the state’s largest earthquake drill ever with over 856,000 Utahns planning to participate. Some state agencies plan to continue drills on Wednesday and Thursday as well.

Judy Crockett has been the campus Emergency Manager at Utah State University for six years.

“At 10:15 that morning we’re asking all of our departments on campus to play the earthquake drill and to practice drop, cover and hold,” said Crockett. “It’s a one minute drill, it’s very simple, very easy. They just play the drill and then drop, cover and hold on under a desk, table or whatever sturdy furniture they can find.”

In advance of the drill Crocket said departments have been asked to go through their emergency plans and update and make any changes necessary plus update their emergency supplies, including first aid materials.

A CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) exercise is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at the Champ Room in the Spectrum.

“USU has a very strong CERT program. We have over 200 members on campus outfitted with supplies like hard hats, vests, helmets and gloves We’re having an exercise with them and we will be practicing setting up a treatment, triage area. Some members of the Logan Fire Department are coming up to help us with that.”

Crockett said in implementing plans, departments have been very responsive in writing their own plans and practicing their response in face of possible emergencies.

“Some departments are planning to take a little longer Tuesday morning and evacuate their areas and then do an accountability check once they’re outside.

“I’m hoping, down the road in future drills, we can do more as far evacuating all buildings. But this time around we’re doing the baby steps, we’re going to do the drill.”

Officials at Utah’s Division of Emergency Management are planning for annual preparedness events like this one.

During Tuesday’s drill in Salt Lake City state emergency management personnel will participate in the evacuation of the Capitol campus buildings.

To register to participate, or for more information about the Great Utah ShakeOut, visit <a href=”http://www.shakeout.org/utah/”>www.shakeout.org/utah/</a>.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!