OCTOBER 2021
GREAT OREGON SHAKEOUT
Join the 474,535 Oregonians who have already registered this year. International ShakeOut Day is always the third Thursday of October (this year: October 21). While COVID has brought many uncertainties and challenges, one thing’s for sure: ShakeOut is still happening this year!
As always, you can hold your #ShakeOut drill when and where you want. You can choose another date or several dates, and include people in multiple locations (home, work, or school), perhaps through video conferencing.
It’s actually a good idea to practice earthquake safety in different situations each year, and ShakeOut Organizers are here to support you.
Sign up and check out smart options at https://www.shakeout.org/oregon/
WHY PRACTICE?
Steve Eberlein of Tipping Point Resilience, who survived a large earthquake and was personally involved with long-term earthquake recovery, suggests memorizing and practicing “drop, cover, and hold on” as the first things to do when you feel shaking.
Repeated practice, he explains, is a critical component because in an emergency we have a lapse of judgment and follow our primitive impulses. We are also easily influenced by others’ responses rather than thinking for ourselves and this is a situation in which you want to know how to respond.
With repeated practice you will be more likely to default to what you have practiced and maximize your safety.
RESILIENCE IN NEIGHBORHOODS
One of the best predictors of how well you will do following an emergency event is how well connected you are with your neighbors. They are the people who will be most likely there to help.
This means lay the groundwork now. Reach out to each other. Communicate. Learn which neighbors have special needs and who has special skills, tools. Take steps to share your needs with others. Discuss your preparedness plans. This will increase your confidence–you will be an asset not a liability.
In an emergency, don’t depend on NET. While we want to be able to help, there are 8 active NET members and more than 1500 residents. We cannot do this without you. NET is counting on you!
Help us help you. Join us at our online monthly meetings by emailing nancyhiser@comcast.net
Be safe.