FAIS Network Sites > Office of Emergency Management > Earthquake

Earthquake

Mitigation

  1. Check for hazards.
    • Make sure shelves are secure and designed with latching doors or raised edges to prevent objects from falling.
    • Top-heavy furniture and equipment must be bolted to walls or floor.
    • Store breakables and heavy objects on lower shelves.
    • Overhead lights, heavy artwork, and mirrors should be anchored.
    • Store hazardous materials in designated cabinets, cages, or enclosures.
  2. Identify safe places indoors and outdoors.
    • Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table
    • Against an inside wall
    • Away from glass that could shatter or heavy casework or furniture that could fall over.
  3. If earthquakes are common for the geographical area or areas where you travel to work.
    • Make sure shelves are secure and designed with latching doors or raised edges to prevent objects from falling.
    • Top-heavy furniture and equipment must be bolted to walls or floor.
    • Store breakables and heavy objects on lower shelves.
    • Overhead lights, heavy artwork, and mirrors should be anchored.
    • Store hazardous materials in designated cabinets, cages, or enclosures.
Ready.gov Earthquake Preparedness Information

Response

  1. In the event of an earthquake, here are the steps you should take to protect yourself:
  2. If you are indoors
    • Stay indoors!
    • DROP, COVER and HOLD ON! Drop to the ground; take cover by getting under a sturdy table, bench or desk and hold on. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch down into a ball next to an interior wall.
      • Move away from windows that may break and furniture or large objects that could fall over.
    • Be aware that the electricity may go out and fire alarms and sprinkler systems may activate.
    • Do not try to leave any building until the shaking is over.
    • If you are in a crowded room or public place, do not rush for exits. Move away from display shelves holding objects that could fall on you.
    • Do not use elevators.
      • Help mobility limited individuals to evacuate if safe to do so, if not, inform a first responder of their location. 
  3. If you are outdoors!
    • Stay outdoors!
    • Move to an open area away from trees, buildings, utility poles and lines, or signs.
    • If you are in a downtown area, on a sidewalk near a tall building, get inside the building’s lobby to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass or other debris.
    • The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings at exits and alongside exterior walls.
    • If you are in a mountainous area, watch for falling rock and landslides.
  4. After an Earthquake
    • Check yourself and those around you for injuries.
    • Evaluate for yourself, or wait for instructions from your Leadership, Safety Representative, or the Building Coordinator, to determine if evacuation is necessary.
    • If you become trapped, send a text or bang on a pipe or wall.
    • If the building seems largely unscathed, stay where you are.
    • If there are noticeable cracks in the wall, windows are broken, or you can smell natural gas (rotten eggs), evacuate.
    • If you need to evacuate, look for signs of building damage or for persons who are injured or trapped, on your way out. Watch for falling objects as you leave the building.
    • Be prepared for aftershocks.
    • Go to your department Evacuation Assembly Point, tell your supervisor or the Safety Representative that you are out of the building and report injured or trapped persons and any signs of building damage you observed.
    • If you are in an area prone to tsunamis, head to higher ground.
    • Turn on a battery-powered or vehicle radio if available for information.
    • If possible, do not use the phone for local calls, except emergencies, during the first 15-30 minutes after the earthquake. Overloading the phone system with calls may delay emergency communications.

Recovery

  1. Wait for communication from authorized WSU or emergency personnel before reentering a building after evacuating.
  2. Some events (e.g., active threat, explosions, medical emergencies) can have long-term impacts on individuals. Being able to talk about your experience in a safe, supportive environment may be helpful. If you are interested in confidential counseling and referral services, please peak with your supervisor and/or HRS about the Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Student care resources are available through the Student Care Network.
Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Student Care Network