SAN JOSE, CA – This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake that caused extensive damage to the Bay Area, and while we cannot know when the next quake will strike, we can minimize damage by being prepared. In California, Earthquake safety includes everyone. To better support the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHOH) population in the county, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) has created an earthquake safety video to be shared with media outlets and throughout the county.
In this video, participants practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On" the recommended safety procedure to take during an earthquake. The video also addresses meeting concerns for people who are DHOH. Many public places are equipped with a dual-sensory notification system, which consists of flashing light and an audio notification; however, the real danger can happen during a power outage. Many DHOH rely on visual cues for communication, and a loss of power may become a loss of communication.
At the Santa Clara County Office of Education, students and staff will participate in an annual worldwide preparedness drill called the Great ShakeOut. Today, October 17, at 10:17 a.m., they joined over 9.4 million people throughout the state to prepare for an earthquake.
“People can assume that safety drills are universal, but they are not. People with limited sensory, movement, or cognitive functions may require additional consideration in an emergency situation. At the SCCOE, we have to be ready to respond to every student's needs. As such, practicing and participating in programs like the Great ShakeOut ensure that everyone is prepared," stated County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan.
Specialized safety protocols for people with disabilities are available to the public online through the Earthquake Country Alliance Resource Page: http://www.earthquakecountry.org/disability/.
There are 126 K-12 schools and districts registered for the 2019 California Great ShakeOut in Santa Clara County, with a total of 197,908 participants.
The Great ShakeOut is free and open-to-the-public, and participants include individuals, schools, businesses, local and state government agencies, and many other groups. To participate in the Great ShakeOut, individuals and organizations are asked to join the drill by registering to participate at www.shakeout.org. Once registered, participants receive regular information on how to plan training and become better prepared for earthquakes and other disasters.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.