VI to Join Global ShakeOut Earthquake Exercise
The Virgin Islands will participate in the global ShakeOut earthquake drill on October 15 to test emergency response plans and public alerting systems. Disaster management officials are urging residents, schools, and businesses to register online and practice life-saving response procedures, including the Drop, Cover, and Hold technique.
The Virgin Islands is set to join millions of participants worldwide on October 15 for ShakeOut, a global earthquake simulation exercise designed to teach and practice vital earthquake safety procedures. The territory-wide drill offers residents, businesses, schools, and emergency services an opportunity to refine response plans and ensure overall readiness for seismic events.
According to Director of Disaster Management Jasen Penn, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) will collaborate closely with public service partners and emergency response agencies during the exercise. The simulation will test inter-island coordination, emergency response frameworks, and public alerting mechanisms across the Territory.
Penn explained that members of the public will hear the activation of the National Early Warning Multi-hazard Alert System on the day of the drill to signal the start of the exercise. Additionally, residents may observe localized evacuation activities as participating entities carry out their specific emergency procedures.
During the drill, participants are instructed to drop, cover, and hold under a sturdy table or desk, or crouch low near an interior wall while covering their head and neck for 60 seconds. Participating entities are also encouraged to incorporate follow-up procedures into their exercise, such as moving to designated tsunami assembly areas, evaluating buildings for potential damage, testing emergency communication channels, and holding team discussions to improve future response plans.
Emphasizing the importance of community-wide participation, Mr. Penn noted that self-led drills provide schools, workplaces, and families with the flexibility to practice safety measures that suit their specific environments. Because earthquakes occur suddenly and without warning, regular practice is essential to building confidence and ensuring swift, protective action during a real event.
ShakeOut originated in Southern California in 2008 to educate the public on effective self-protection during major earthquakes. The Virgin Islands has actively participated in the annual exercise since 2018, joining participants across more than 40 countries and territories, including Puerto Rico, the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
Participants throughout the Virgin Islands are encouraged to register their participation online to be counted in the global tally. For guidance on personalizing an earthquake drill, risk-reduction measures, or accessing the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety guide, residents can visit the DDM website, contact the department by phone at 468-4200, or email ddm@gov.vg.
Primary source: BVI Government