The Stonestown Family YMCA will be participating in an earthquake safety drill with millions of people worldwide in the Great ShakeOut on the anniversary of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.

While some areas of California are more likely to have earthquakes than others, all of California is at higher risk compared to the rest of the country. You could be anywhere when an earthquake strikes: at home, at work, at school, or even on vacation.

What we do now will determine our quality of life after our next big earthquake. Federal, state, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes. The Great ShakeOut is our opportunity to practice how to protect ourselves during earthquakes.

PROTECT YOURSELF. SPREAD THE WORD!

In most situations, if you feel shaking or get an earthquake alert, immediately:

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.

Or adapt to your situation.

To help prepare our staff, members and participants in the event of an Earthquake occurring at one of our locations, the following will occur at our sites:

Main Facility

At 11:19 am on Thursday, 10/19, we will announce over the PA system that an earthquake is occurring. Staff will then duck and cover and initiate our evacuation plan.

Participation by members is optional – if you would like to participate, please follow staff’s instructions.

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In the event of a real emergency, please evacuate to Saint Stephens Catholic School, 401 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132.

For this drill only, evacuation sites will remain in the building:

  •  If you are on the first floor, please evacuate to the Main Lobby.
  • If you are on the second floor, please go to the Stretch Area
  •  If you are in the pool/sauna/spa, please remain on the pool deck

Annex

At 10:19 am on Thursday, 10/19, staff will duck and cover and initiate our evacuation plan.

Participation by members and participants is optional – if you would like to participate, please follow staff’s instructions.

In the event of a real emergency, please evacuate to Saint Stephens Catholic School, 401 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132.

Additional resources will be available at the Front Desk of the Annex.

Youth Program Sites

At 10:19 am on Thursday, 10/20, staff will duck and cover and initiate our evacuation plan.

Many of our Youth Program Sites, in conjunction with YMCA and SFUSD staff, will be participating in the drill in their classrooms and programs. If your child participates, discuss how you would prepare yourself at home after the drill. Learn how to prepare your home, by visiting Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety.