Earthquake Warning California Higher Education Toolkit

 

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) invites Californians and visitors to join the Earthquake Warning California’s “Don’t Get Caught Off Guard” earthquake early warning awareness campaign.

 

Earthquakes can and will happen throughout California. Earthquake Warning California provides free tools — the MyShake App, Android Earthquake Alerts, and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) — to supplement existing resources and give users a few extra moments to take cover and warn others before an earthquake. Understanding how to recognize alerts and what to do when receiving a warning is critical.

 

Cal OES is urging higher education institutes to help spread the word about the importance of being earthquake prepared, understand the capabilities of Earthquake Warning California, and know what to do when an earthquake warning goes out.

 

To receive monthly updates on earthquake preparedness news, events, technology, and other resources, sign up for our e-newsletter at earthquake.ca.gov

 

The following information can be tailored and shared with students, faculty, alumni, and others via newsletters, social media posts, and email blasts. For questions email earthquakeinfo@caloes.ca.gov.

Newsletter Language

Share the text below through email blasts, newsletters, or other channels. Personalize it as needed.

 

Did You Know? Most Californians say they are very or somewhat knowledgeable about the steps they can take to prepare for a natural disaster such as an earthquake, yet 60% remain highly concerned about the potential impact of a disaster on their household. To ensure all Californians are prepared, the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) recently launched the “Don’t Get Caught Off Guard” campaign to promote awareness of critical earthquake warning resources available at no-cost through Earthquake Warning California.

 

Earthquake Warning California’s “Don’t Get Caught Off Guard” campaign is a statewide education effort to help the public learn about earthquake warning tools and resources. Cal OES, in collaboration with the California Integrated Seismic Network Partners from United States Geological Survey (USGS), University of California – Berkeley (UCB), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and California Geological Survey (CGS)  launched the nation’s first State Earthquake Early Warning System in October of 2019. The system uses ground motion sensors and sensors in smartphones to detect an earthquake before humans can feel it and issues a ShakeAlert® Message in real time so they can take cover before shaking happens. An earthquake warning can provide additional life-saving seconds for people to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

 

Earthquake Warning California resources include:

  • Information about constructing an emergency plan
  • How to protect yourself and your family before, during and after an earthquake
  • Android Earthquake Alerts developed in partnership with Cal OES and USGS
  • The MyShake App — a smartphone app developed in partnership with Cal OES and UC Berkeley that can provide users with a few seconds of notification that shaking is about to occur
  • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) — free notifications delivered to cell phones in emergency situations
  • Information for higher education institutes to plan for life-saving actions in the event of an alert, such as safely slowing mass transit systems, powering down equipment, or bringing elevators to an emergency stop
  • Links to the California Integrated Seismic Network Partners for additional technical and system information

 

When you receive a warning or feel shaking, you should take protective actions (drop to the ground, cover your head with your arms, and hold onto your neck with both hands) until shaking stops, avoiding doorways and windows.

 

To learn which resources are available to you and how to react, visit www.earthquake.ca.gov. There, you can also sign up for our monthly e-newsletter with the latest news and information about Earthquake Warning California.

 

The use of the MyShake App and other programs is voluntary.  Visit http://earthquake.ca.gov/privacy-policy/ to learn more about the privacy policies.

Social Media (Graphics)

The following can be tailored and used on personal social media pages or by organizations to help spread awareness about Earthquake Warning California. Hashtags (#) help others looking for information to see trending posts, while using the @ symbol tags other organizations (use @Cal_OES for Twitter and @CaliforniaOES for Facebook).

  • College students can be prepared for the next #earthquake with resources from #EarthquakeWarningCA. Check out free resources at earthquake.ca.gov
  • ⚠️ Have you signed up for #earthquake warnings? ⚠️ The @Cal_OES #MyShake App, #AndroidAlerts, and #WEA can help you react before shaking begins. Learn more at earthquake.ca.gov
  • Do you have an #earthquake plan? #EarthquakeWarningCA offers free resources to protect yourself, on campus in person and virtually. Go to earthquake.ca.gov to learn more.
  • #EarthquakeWarningCA resources can give you a few extra moments to DROP, COVER and HOLD ON before an #earthquake. To make an earthquake plan for your home 🏡, campus 🏛️, lab🔬, or commute 🚲, visitca.gov
  • A pop-quiz might catch you off guard, but earthquakes don’t have to. Discover no-cost #earthquake warnings at earthquake.ca.gov.
  • #Earthquake Preparedness Checklist:
  1. Visit earthquake.ca.gov 🖥️
  2. Learn about earthquake warnings from the #MyShake App, #Android, and #WEA
  3. Ensure emergency warnings are enabled on phones 📱
  4. Add earthquake warnings to your emergency plan
  5. Spread the word! 📣

E-Blast Language

The following can be copy/pasted into an email to help inform others about Earthquake Warning California.

 

Are you prepared for an earthquake?

 

Earthquakes can happen anywhere at any time. To help keep individuals and families safe in an earthquake, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) recently launched a public education campaign to help increase awareness of Earthquake Warning California. This education effort includes outreach to the general public to help educate them about technology that can help them stay safe and mitigate risk in an earthquake.

 

Earthquake Warning California’s “Don’t Get Caught Off Guard” campaign is a statewide education effort to help the public learn about earthquake warning tools and resources. Cal OES, in collaboration with the California Integrated Seismic Network Partners from United States Geological Survey (USGS), University of California – Berkeley (UCB), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and California Geological Survey (CGS)  launched the nation’s first State Earthquake Early Warning System in October of 2019. The system uses ground motion sensors and sensors in smartphones to detect an earthquake before humans can feel it and issues a ShakeAlert® Message in real time so they can take cover before shaking happens. An earthquake warning can provide additional life-saving seconds for people to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

 

Earthquake Warning California resources include:

  • Information about constructing an emergency plan
  • How to protect yourself and your family before, during and after an earthquake
  • Android Earthquake Alerts developed in partnership with Cal OES and USGS
  • The MyShake App — a smartphone app developed in partnership with Cal OES and UC Berkeley that can provide users with a few seconds of notification that shaking is about to occur
  • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) — free notifications delivered to cell phones in emergency situations
  • Information for business sectors to plan for life-saving actions in the event of an alert, such as safely slowing mass transit systems, powering down equipment, or bringing elevators to an emergency stop
  • Links to the California Integrated Seismic Network Partners for additional technical and system information

 

We encourage you and your family and support network to become familiar with earthquake preparation resources at earthquake.ca.gov. Plan and practice to respond in the event of an earthquake in a variety of situations, including industry-specific information. Sign up for the MyShake App, Android Earthquake Alerts, or WEAs, and get familiar with their visuals, sounds, and vibrations.

 

You can also sign up to receive monthly e-newsletters with the latest news and information about earthquake warnings, new materials, virtual presentations, social media posts and other resources on Cal OES’ website. For more information visit earthquake.ca.gov or email earthquakeinfo@caloes.ca.gov.