Earthquake Warning California
First Responder 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. First responders 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

First responders in California are well-aware of the devastating impacts that earthquakes can have in communities, and are essential to helping others quickly once shaking stops. It’s important for first responders that are located along a fault line or serve communities that are in earthquake-prone regions to have a plan in place to help mitigate risk. By helping share resources and taking steps to be prepared, first responders can play a key role in making Californians more resilient and keeping people safe when the next major earthquake occurs.

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 organization name] encourages our first responders 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, individuals should 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, as well as any community groups you work with, 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.