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Media Alert: Maryland Schools Invited To Participate In 'Great Shakeout' Earthquake Drill

Program Spotlights Earthquake Safety

For Immediate Release                                          Contact: William Reinhard, 410-767-0486

Baltimore, MD (October 2, 2015)

Maryland schools are invited to participate this month in the 2015 Great SouthEast ShakeOut, part of the largest earthquake drill in history.

The drill is affiliated with the Great ShakeOut, a national effort to spotlight earthquake safety.  The Great ShakeOut drills began in California in 2008, but the August 23, 2011 earthquake in Mineral, VA, proved that such safety exercises are important throughout the nation. Earthquakes can occur in Maryland, too.  A 2.2 magnitude earthquake centered in Anne Arundel County shook parts of the State on August 8.

The drill is simple, but the importance is great.  Students and school personnel are being asked to:

  • DROP to the Ground
  • Take COVER under a table or desk, and
  • HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

The Maryland Center for School Safety, Maryland State Fire Marshal, Maryland Emergency Management Agency, and MSDE are coordinating efforts for the Great SouthEast ShakeOut. 


What:             Great SouthEast ShakeOut Earthquake Drill

When              10:15 a.m., Thursday, October 15

More Information:   http://www.shakeout.org/southeast

                                  http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/emergencies-Earthquakes.aspx


Note: School systems interested in getting involved with the ShakeOut can contact Ed Clarke, Executive Director, Maryland Center for School Safety, edward.clarke@mcac.maryland.gov.

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