Earthquake Warning California
Businesses Toolkit & Resources
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) launched the “Don’t Get Caught Off Guard” campaign in October 2020 to help inform communities throughout California about the Earthquake Warning California system. Businesses can find the latest materials, resources, and news relating to the nation’s first statewide, publicly available earthquake warning system on the newly revamped website: earthquake.ca.gov.
For businesses in California, impacts as a result of earthquakes are not a matter of if, but when. Whether a business is physically located along a fault line, or dependent on supply chains and employees that are, businesses should have a plan in place to help mitigate risk and recover quickly following an earthquake. By helping share resources with employees, customers, and vendors, business leaders can play a key role in making Californians more resilient and keeping people safe when the next major earthquake occurs. Businesses should also consider including earthquake early warning technology in their disaster planning and measures that could be taken to automatically adjust processes in the event of an earthquake to reduce damage and speed recovery.
What Can You Do?
Share the following information via newsletter or social media! For questions relating to Earthquake Warning California, 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. If you belong to a housing association, club, or social group, we encourage you to share this material. Please feel free to tailor or personalize it.
April is Earthquake Preparedness Month in California! We know that there are many things to be worried about, but when it comes to earthquakes, it is not a matter of if one will occur, but when. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is encouraging residents to take the time to update their emergency plan, download the MyShake App, and adjust their phone settings. Many things in life may catch us off guard; but now, earthquakes don’t have to!
GAME CHANGER: Californians can now get warnings for earthquakes from Earthquake Warning California. By downloading the FREE MyShake App and adjusting phone settings, people can get a jump start, in some cases before shaking can be felt to take protective actions to DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON (or LOCK, COVER, and HOLD ON if using a wheelchair).
If you receive a warning or feel shaking, there are moments to act. 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 location services must be set to “always-on” so that ground sensors can alert those in the nearby area when shaking is detected.
- 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 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.
Social Media
Sector-specific social media images are available at https://earthquake.ca.gov/get-prepared.
Please consider using social media to help spread awareness about Earthquake Warning California resources. 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).
- [Insert Organization Handle] wants to remind our California clients about no-cost resources from #EarthquakeWarningCA designed to provide a few moments warning before shaking. Find out more at earthquake.ca.gov
- #DYK that #EarthquakeWarningCA is the name for the first-ever statewide #earthquake warning system? This includes resources such as the #MyShake App, #AndroidEarthquakeAlerts, and #WEAs. Visit earthquake.ca.gov
- [Insert Organization Handle] is helping our employees learn about free resources that can provide a few moments notice before shaking in an #earthquake so they can take protective actions. Do you have a plan in place? Earthquake.ca.gov can help!
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 resources. 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).
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Videos
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