The Great Shake Out!

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Welcome To SCEMD

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The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, a division of the Military Department, is the coordinating agency responsible for the statewide emergency management program. SCEMD’s mission is to develop, coordinate, and lead the state emergency management program, enabling effective preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters in order to save lives, reduce human suffering and minimize property loss. South Carolina is threatened by many natural and technological hazards. The threat posed by these hazards is both immediate (e.g., hazardous chemical spill, hurricane, tornado) and long-term (e.g., drought, chronic chemical release). These hazards have the potential to disrupt day-to-day activities, cause extensive property damage, and create mass casualties. Historically, the greatest risk is from natural hazards (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, severe storms, floods, earthquakes). Disasters and emergency situations can happen anytime and anywhere. When disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond, so it is important that you and your family are prepared. A hurricane, winter storm, earthquake, flood, tornado or any other disaster could cut off utility services for days and lead to evacuations or confine your family to your home. Take time now to understand the types of emergencies that may occur in your community, develop an emergency plan and assemble an emergency supplies kit - helping to keep you, and your family safe.

The Great Shake Out!

The Great Shakeout

http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/

What is the Great ShakeOut?

It’s an earthquake drill. South Carolina, along with states located in the central United States and Georgia, will participate in an earthquake drill on April 28, 2011 at 10:15 a.m. This means that wherever you are at that moment—at home, at work, at school, anywhere—you should Drop, Cover, and Hold On as if there were a major earthquake occurring at that very moment and stay in the position for at least 60 seconds.

Purpose?

The purpose of the ShakeOut is to help people and organizations to be better prepared before the next big earthquake, and also practice how to protect ourselves when it happens. It is an opportunity to learn what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.

Why participate?

As with anything to react quickly, you must practice often. It is important to do a Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake before strong shaking knocked you down or drops something on you.

Who can participate?

Everyone! Everyone can register to participate in the drill—individuals, families, social groups, companies, organizations, religious affiliates, etc.

How you can participate?

Register on the South Carolina’s page: http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/southcarolina/
Be an example that motivates others to participate and get prepared
Do speaking engagements before groups and encourage participation