City, fire department lead Thursday earthquake drill

The City of Sonoma will participate in the 2013 Great California ShakeOut on Thursday, Oct. 17.

Millions of people worldwide have participated in Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills since 2008. The Great California ShakeOut is held on the third Thursday of October each year.

At 10:17 a.m. that day, city personnel will join millions of Californians in the state’s largest earthquake drill ever by activating the Emergency Operations Center with the Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority leading city officials through scenarios to test their emergency preparedness for an actual citywide disaster.

The public, as individuals or groups, are also encouraged to participate in the drill wherever they are at 10:17 a.m. on Oct. 17.

The ShakeOut is an opportunity to practice how to protect ones’ self and prevent a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe.

Those wishing to participate can register at shakeout.org/california. So far, 8.3 million Californians have signed up to participate.

To register for Sonoma’s local event or for more information, contact Debra N. Rogers at drogers@sonomacity.org or call 933-2229.

Participant groups will be asked to call in to the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during the drill to report their group’s participation.