23 October 2013 - To raise the awareness among its staff and the public on the unprecedented dangers that arise during an earthquake and the recommended safety measures, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco participated in the Great California Shake Out Earthquake Drill last October 17 at exactly 10:17 a.m.
Prior to the drill, Deputy Consul General Jaime Ramon Ascalon briefed the participants, comprised of the Consulate staff and the public on the recommended and internationally recognized Drop, Cover, and Hold On protocol in the event of an earthquake. According to the Earthquake Country Alliance (www.earthquakecountry.org), US Federal, State and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that “Drop, Cover and Hold On” is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.
The drill was successfully conducted after the briefing. “We thank the members of the public for participating in the drill and encourage them to share the safety measures with their family members and friends here in the US and in the Philippines,” said DCG Ascalon.
October 17 is the anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, which hit the Bay Area in 1989 occurred, injuring thousands and damaging a section of the famous San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
For more information about Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions, please visit the following websites:
www.shaekout.org/dropcoverholdon
www.eartquakecountry.org/dropcoverholdon
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