Earthquake Warning California
Businesses Toolkit & Resources

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has helped Californians prepare for earthquakes through the Earthquake Warning California campaign. California residents and visitors can find the latest materials, resources, and news relating to the nation’s first statewide, publicly available earthquake warning system at: earthquake.ca.gov. However, we need your help getting the message out!

For businesses in California, the Earthquake Warning California system can help them safeguard their operations. Whether a business is located along a fault line or dependent on supply chains and employees, companies should have a plan to help mitigate risk and recover quickly following an earthquake. For example, employees can stop the machinery and ensure they are taking protective actions during an earthquake. Employers can mitigate risk by helping share resources with employees, customers, and vendors; business leaders can make Californians more resilient and keep people safe when the next major earthquake occurs. Earthquake Warning California is a system that uses ground motion sensors to detect earthquakes before humans can feel them and notify those close by to take protective actions before an earthquake. These few seconds can be life-saving, allowing businesses and individuals to notice and take action before shaking starts.

What Can You Do?

Share the following information via newsletter or social media! For questions relating to how to become an Early Earthquake Warning licensed operator or encourage end users, email earthquakeinfo@caloes.ca.gov.

Newsletter Language

Use the language below to copy/paste and share with target audiences through email blasts, newsletters, or other channels. We encourage you to share this material if you belong to a housing association, club, or social group. Please feel free to tailor or personalize it.

It’s always a good time to prepare for an earthquake. We know that there are many things business owners worry about, but when it comes to earthquakes, it’s not a matter of if an earthquake will strike but when. It’s always a good time to prepare for an earthquake, and Cal OES is encouraging businesses to take the time to update their emergency plan to make sure their business, employees, and customers are earthquake-prepared.

Earthquake Warnings are a Game Changer: Cal OES encourages businesses to have a plan for how to protect themselves, their employees, and their customers in the event of an earthquake. There are moments to act when you receive a warning or feel shaking. There may be circumstances where a warning is issued, but no shaking occurs. It is always better to be on the side of caution when it comes to earthquakes. We encourage you to share this information with friends and family in California to help spread the word about the technology available to help keep them safe.

 Here are some of the ways to receive earthquake warnings:

• MyShake App. An app that can be downloaded for mobile devices at no cost from Google Play and the Apple App Store. App users can set up a “HomeBase” location to receive earthquake warnings without having location services turned on.
• Android Earthquake Alerts. Included in new or updated Android devices, the system uses the same technology as the MyShake App.
• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). Text-like messages from the government during emergency situations. This includes Presidential, Imminent Threats (fire, earthquake, floods, etc.), and AMBER alerts.

When an earthquake warning is issued from any of these sources, employees should quickly take protective actions to stay safe, such as dropping to the ground, covering their head with their arms, and holding onto their neck with both hands until the shaking stops. Do not stand in doorways or near glass windows.

[Insert Name of Organization] encourages our employees to have a plan for how to protect themselves in the event of an earthquake, be it onsite, on the road, or at home. If you receive a warning, please be sure to react with the assumption that shaking will occur soon after. There may be circumstances where a warning is issued, but no shaking occurs. It is always better to be on the side of caution when it comes to earthquakes. We encourage you to share this information with friends and family in California to help spread the word about the technology available to help keep them safe.

Please visit earthquake.ca.gov to learn more about the latest tools and resources and how to use them. You can also sign up for a regular partner e-newsletter on the website from Cal OES that includes the latest news and information about Earthquake Warning California.