This Thursday, in regions all over world, millions of people will participate in the Great ShakeOut. Will your Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school join?

The Great ShakeOut originated in California and is an annual opportunity for people in homes, schools and organizations to practice what to do during earthquakes. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supports this day of action as it helps improve overall emergency preparedness and resilience.

There are more than 9,000 SEVP-certified schools in the United States, and more than 1,000 of them are located in California. Even if earthquakes are rare where your campus is located, it is important that you and your students know how to protect yourselves in the event of natural disasters, like earthquakes.

If your campus plans on participating in the Great ShakeOut, we want to hear about it! Even if you cannot hold an earthquake drill on Oct. 15, your school can still participate on a different date that works for your schedule. Visit the Great ShakeOut website to learn how.

Want to learn more about FEMA and how to promote preparedness at your school? Read and share Follow Friday: Learn About FEMA with your students.

Help us spread the word about the #GreatShakeOut and share this message with your networks on social media.