Earthquake simulation drill to take place Thursday (Oct. 20)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University community is encouraged to participate Thursday (Oct. 20) in a campus drill simulating a major earthquake.

The exercise is designed to educate faculty, staff and students on what to do in the event the area ever experiences an earthquake. No Purdue Alert will be issued, but the campus community is urged to participate Thursday in a discussion or simulation at a time designated by the department, said Purdue emergency preparedness director Ron Wright. The event is part of a statewide exercise during the Great Central U.S. Shake Out Drill. 

"Because we're not known as an area that has major earthquakes, a lot of people may not know what to do. People need to know it can happen anywhere, and we want everyone to know the proper safety procedures," Wright said. "Although everyone is urged to participate, the exercise is voluntary."

People caught in an earthquake are urged to drop to the ground, take cover under a table or desk and hold on for at least one minute. Wright urges faculty, staff and students to simulate this and to look around while covered and imagine what would happen in an actual earthquake. After the drill is complete, discussions are encouraged to incorporate these lessons into department or individual plans. Faculty unable to participate in the drill are asked to take a few minutes to review earthquake procedures with their class. Departments unable to participate also are asked to do so.

Information from the Purdue Emergency Procedures Guide on how to respond to an earthquake is available at https://www.purdue.edu/ehps/emergency_preparedness/flipchart/earthquake.html

Information about Purdue emergency preparedness, including the Purdue Alert warning notification system, shelter in place procedures and building emergency plans is available at https://www.purdue.edu/ehps/emergency_preparedness/

Contact: Ron Wright, 765-494-0446, rdwright@purdue.edu