Get Ready to Get Down for Exercise ShakeOut

New Plymouth District Council staff will drop, cover and hold next Wednesday (26 September) – and the public is welcome to join in.

Exercise ShakeOut is a nationwide earthquake drill, with more than 1 million people registered to take part in the 9.26am exercise on Wednesday next week.

Manager Quality Assurance John Sutton says staff at all Council worksites – including the Civic Centre, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Puke Ariki and district libraries – will be participating, with either a siren or a whistle sounding at 9.26am to mark the start of the ‘earthquake’. A second signal 20 seconds later will end the drill.

“Any member of the public who is at a Council site when the ShakeOut exercise starts is welcome to join in – though we don’t expect everyone to,” says Mr Sutton.

“The only exceptions are the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre, the Fernery and Display Houses and Brooklands Zoo.

“At the aquatic centre we’ll announce the exercise over the intercom but it would be difficult to have people in a swimming pool get out to take part, so only staff will be involved; while at the zoo and the fernery, the exercise will take place in the staff areas.”

Some Council teams will then take part in an emergency exercise as part of the earthquake scenario.

“The exercise will test our business continuity and resources during an emergency so that our staff know what to do when a real disaster hits.

“The emergency scenario will run into the afternoon, however all our services and facilities will continue to operate as normal.”

What to do when an earthquake hits

In an earthquake, drop, cover and hold: Drop to the ground (before you fall from the shaking), take cover under a nearby desk or table, and hold on.

If you are not near a desk or table, drop to the floor against an interior wall (avoid exterior walls, hanging objects, large appliances and tall furniture) and protect your head and neck with your arms.