Get Ready to ShakeOut at the County Museum

The San Bernardino County Museum will host a special event, “Are You Ready for the ShakeOut?” on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The museum will be joined by more than two dozen other agencies and organizations to provide information about earthquakes that kids and families can use. And—because it’s so important for inland Southern California residents to be well informed and prepared—admission to the museum on that day is free. The Great California ShakeOut is an annual drill, this year scheduled for Oct. 16 at 10:16 a.m. Schools, businesses, government agencies, and individuals will Drop, Cover, and Hold On to practice how to react during an earthquake. This year, the County Museum decided to hold a special ShakeOut event on the Saturday before the drill. "The museum is able to work with a wide variety of other agencies to provide information about earthquakes, ranging from earthquake science to preparedness," said Leonard Hernandez, interim museum director. "By having a preparedness event before the drill, and by providing free admission to the museum that day, we hope that Southern California residents will gain useful information that will serve them well during the upcoming drill— and, of course, during the inevitable Big One." The day’s events will include hands-on activities to demonstrate the power and the mechanics of earthquakes. There will be booths with information to take home on everything from turning off the gas to basic first aid. Special guest speakers will include earthquake scientists. Safety vehicles, safety exercises, and first responders will be on hand. Kids can even experience the “Big Shaker,” an interactive earthquake simulation vehicle. "The Great California ShakeOut event is vital for all residents of San Bernardino County to participate in," Supervisor James Ramos stated. "I am pleased the County Museum will once again serve a crucial role in educating our residents on these important safety procedures. Practicing our responses makes us better prepared to act in an emergency. I encourage everyone to take participate in this event on Oct. 11." Museum guests can also enjoy museum tours, craft activities, and opportunities to explore and discover local cultural and natural history. Lunch and snacks will be available for purchase so visitors can spend a whole day of fun and learning at the museum.