UW to be hit by a (fake) earthquake today
April 26, 2001
Though officials are unsure of the exact time, between 9:45 and 10 a.m. today, an earthquake will rattle Washington state, affecting schools, colleges, government institutions and businesses.
Unlike the earthquake that struck in February, this most recent statewide quake will travel through the airwaves instead of the ground.
As part of the state's 2001 Disaster Preparedness Month, the Washington State Military Department will stage an earthquake drill via radio. KIRO News Radio (710 AM), along with other radio and tv stations, will broadcast an announcement regarding the drill at 9:45 a.m.
According to Barbara McPhee of the UW Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS), the drill will "affect you if you are at K-12 schools, home or anywhere else."
The drill has been promoted statewide for all companies and homes, in addition to state and federal organizations, McPhee said.
Details regarding which UW departments, buildings and classes will be affected by the drill are still shaky, McPhee said. She explained that the program is voluntary, and that the decision to participate in the drill is left up to individual departments and instructors.
"In the past, there has been limited participation," she said. Because of the earthquake in February, "this year there is a huge increase in participation," said Mcphee.
Hall Health, the Department of Telecommunications, the Health Sciences complex and Gerberding Hall will participate fully in the drill, said McPhee.
"Some departments will be evacuated in the drill," said McPhee, but the DEHS is "recommending that they do not evacuate unless they have a good evacuation plan." McPhee said this is because many buildings on campus do not have evacuation plans.
Regardless of the level of participation, students will be notified of the drill by a signal sounded in the morning.
According to a statement released by the DEHS, "When you hear the signal, drop down on the floor ... take cover under a sturdy desk, table or piece of furniture ... hold on and brace yourself ... and evacuate if instructed to do so."
Participants should expect the drill to last 30-60 seconds.
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