The city of Santa Clarita will Drop, Cover and Hold On as part of the Great California ShakeOut at 10:18 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18.

The drill will take place at all city-owned and -operated offices, including all three branches of the Santa Clarita Public Library, and City Hall, according to Donna Nuzzi, the city’s emergency services supervisor.

At City Hall only, the three-story building on Valencia Boulevard will be evacuated, and city Building & Safety inspectors will conduct a complete inspection as they would after a real earthquake.

“We’ll all be out in the parking lot,” Nuzzi said.

Once the inspection is complete, city staff and employees will be allowed to re-occupy the building, she said.

The Great California ShakeOut is a statewide earthquake drill held annually to help prepare people to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes. The event is an opportunity for the community, schools and organizations to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies.

Research shows that when people practice what to do ahead of time, they are more likely to respond instinctively with the correct action during an emergency.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On:
a. Move only as far as necessary to reach a safe place. Take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold onto it firmly.
b. Be prepared to move with the shaking.
c. Hold the position until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move.
d. Do not go to a doorway as a place of safety – injury can occur due to doors swinging.

* If outdoors, find a spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights, power lines, and overpasses. Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops. Never run out of a building while the ground is shaking.
* If in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Stay in the vehicle, with the seat belt fastened, until the shaking stops.

Registration for the Great California ShakeOut is available online.

For more information, visit ShakeOut.org.