Courtesy photos.
SANTA MARIA — There was a “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” at 10:16 a.m. within the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District on Oct. 15.
Nearly 100 hundred District Office staff participated in the “The Great California Shakeout”, a statewide drill to ensure school districts, other organizations and communities know what to do to be safe during an earthquake. Some students joined from home.
During the morning, employees used the intercom to announce they were simulating an earthquake. Staff were instructed to move away from the windows and heavy objects and get beneath their desks in the “Duck, Cover and Hold On” position for about 30 seconds. When the “shaking” stopped, staff evacuated the building to a safe assembly area. An announcement of “all clear” ended the drill.
Director of Facilities and Operations Reese Thompson said his staff completed earthquake hazard checklists by examining and securing interior and exterior hazards.
“Everyone knows that when we talk about earthquakes, it is not a matter of if, but when,’’ Thompson said.
RHS and DHS staff drilled on Wednesday. SMHS will drill next week. The PVHS drill is pending. Normally, several thousand SMJUHSD students participate.
Last year, more than 10.8 million people practiced “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” and other safety procedures as part of the “Shakeout Drill”.