Prepare for the 2025 Great ShakeOut Drill on Oct. 16
Fullerton College is participating in the Great ShakeOut Drill at 10:16 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16. This earthquake and emergency preparedness drill will provide the campus an opportunity to practice earthquake drill procedures, test emergency communications systems and ensure that students, faculty and staff are prepared in case of a major earthquake or disaster.
At 10:16 a.m., students, faculty and staff are expected to hear a live announcement delivered through our Cisco landlines. Building Evacuation Marshalls and Floor Evacuation Marshals will direct students, staff, and faculty to drop, cover and hold under a desk or table for about one minute and then begin the evacuation process outdoors. Everyone on campus will also be instructed to vacate the buildings and gather in designated evacuation areas on campus until the drill has concluded. The drill is expected to last 20 to 30 minutes.
During the drill, a Triage Area will be set up at the quad for students and staff who have volunteered to act as injured individuals to be treated by our Student Health Services staff. A therapist will also be in the area, providing counseling for students and staff who are experiencing mental health issues as a result of an earthquake. Campus Safety Officers also demonstrate the use of the Strycker evacuation chair during an earthquake.
How to Prepare
- Staff and faculty should check and adjust their Cisco phone’s volume to a high setting, ensuring it is not set too low or muted to guarantee the drill announcement can be heard.
- Students, staff and faculty should review and update their contact information in MyGateway to ensure they receive phone, text and email alerts for the drill and future emergencies.
In most earthquakes, you will reduce your chance of injury if you:
- DROP where you are onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and reduces your chances of being hit by falling or flying objects.
- COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.
- If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall.
- Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs.
- HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
- Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts.
- No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.
A Timeline of the Great ShakeOut Drill
8:30 a.m. – Students and staff receive a text message, phone message and email informing them of the drill that will take place later that morning.
10:16 a.m. – The Office of Campus Safety initiates the Great ShakeOut drill through an announcement via the landline phones (Cisco) throughout the campus. Students and staff will be directed to drop, cover and hold on for about one minute.
10:17 a.m. – All students, staff and faculty will evacuate the building to a designated location outdoors. A mock triage area will be set up in the quad.
10:45 a.m. – The drill is expected to end, and staff and students can resume normal operations.
If you have any questions regarding Fullerton College’s evacuation exercise or drill, please contact the Campus Safety office at 714-992-7080 ext. 0.
For a complete guide and tips on how to prepare for a major earthquake, visit the Great ShakeOut’s website.
Download the evacuation map today.
