Earthquake Awareness

After the Earthquake and aftershocks (remember, Aftershocks can happen multiple times. They usually occur within seconds or minutes after the initial quake. If you are in a safe place stay there until all the shakes have subsided) evacuate your building and account for all personnel.  Treat any injuries and call 911 if required. 

If at home, inspect you house and property for damage to Gas, Sewage or Water lines.  If you smell gas, sewage or see water leaks, turn them off. (You will know where these are as you prepared for an earthquake) If you don’t know how to secure them, get out of the building and call for help.

Check for structural damage before re-entering.  If at work report the status of your building to the installation EOC through your building manager. If at home, make a sweep around your house and look for cracks. Check for electrical damage. If you see sparks or broken, frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker at once. If the area around the fuse box or circuit breaker is wet, you may want to get advice from an electrician before going near it. If you have a chimney, inspect it, unnoticed damage can lead to a costly fire later. 

If you’re building is safe to return to your going to have to start you’re clean up. Get the spilled liquids, medicines, bleaches, gasoline or any other flammable substances as quickly as possible.

Stay off the phone unless absolutely necessary.  Emergency Services will need every line available. If you do need to make a call, keep it brief. Watch the news and listen to your radio (from your emergency preparedness kit).

Basic travel is the most affected after an earthquake has occurred. When roads and thoroughfares are destroyed, most travel can only be done on foot. Roadways are usually the last to be restored after an earthquake. You may need to find local shelter (again your emergency preparedness kit will come in handy). 

If the earthquake has caused extensive damage, emergency services will be “strapped” initially.  Other victims may rely heavily on the assistance of good Samaritans. If you are trained and up for it, grab one of your first aid kits to help any other injured or trapped victims, but do not put yourself into danger. If you are trapped, call out for help. 

There will be search crews eventually.

If the roads are impassable you may be confined at work or home.  Try to stick to your normal routine; Entertainment is a must for children.  Non electronic-electrical toys, musical instruments, board games, and playing cards can be very helpful during these times. If you have a generator, keep its use to a minimum, you may not be able to get more fuel for days.

Keep busy and as occupied as possible until the roads are cleared and life returns to normal.

For additional information on Earthquakes (and many other emergencies) see: ready.gov, fema.gov or emd.wa.gov.  If these fail to answer your questions contact your local emergency management officer:

NBK - Tracy Brown at (360) 627-4028

NAS Whidbey - Steve Lombardo at (360) 259-3337

NAVSTA Everett - MA1 Jack Burch at (425) 304-3139