Great Shakeout Drill

On Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 10:16 a.m., Island Health staff will participate in the Great Washington ShakeOut earthquake drill along with the City of Anacortes, Anacortes Fire Department, Skagit Community Emergency Response Team, Skagit Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Club, and individuals and communities throughout Washington State. During the drill, Island Health will activate incident command and test surge capacity through the Emergency Department with mock scenarios and patients.  

Island Health is holding this drill in conjunction with International ShakeOut Day, which is held on the third Thursday of October annually. During the self-led drill, participants practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.”  Endorsed by emergency officials and first responders, the safe response to an earthquake is to:  

If Possible

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down by shaking and reduces your chance of being hit by falling or flying objects.

COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.

• If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter
• If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall
• Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs

HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

• Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
• No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

Or Adapt to Your Situation

If you have difficulty getting onto the ground, or cannot get back up again without help, then follow these recommendations:

• If you are in a recliner or bed: Cover your head and neck with your arms or a pillow until the shaking stops.
• If you use a cane: Drop, Cover, and Hold On or sit on a chair, bed, etc. and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep your cane near you so it can be used when the shaking stops.
• If you use a walker or wheelchair: LOCK your wheels (if applicable). If using a walker carefully get as low as possible. Bend over and COVER your head/neck with your arms, a book, or a pillow. Then, HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

The ShakeOut is free and open-to-the-public, and participants include individuals, schools, businesses, local and state government agencies, and many other groups. To take part in the ShakeOut, individuals and organizations are asked to join the drill by registering to participate www.ShakeOut.org. Once registered, participants receive regular information on how to plan their drill and become better prepared for earthquakes and other disasters.