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Emergency Procedures

Assistance to Persons with Disabilities Bomb Threat Civil Disturbance Earthquake Procedures Elevator Malfunction Emergency Contacts Fire and Life Safety Flooding Homeland Security Medical Emergency Pandemic Preparedness Power Failure Severe Weather Shelter in Place Toxic Hazards

Earthquake Procedures

Summary

  • Don't Panic. Duck, Cover and Hold. Do not run.
  • When the shaking stops - assess whether it would be safer to evacuate the building or shelter in place.

The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related injuries result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

What To Do During an Earthquake

If indoors…

  • DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Advise others to do the same.
  • Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. If you are in a common corridor or elevator lobby in which furniture is minimal, lie face down alongside an interior partition.
  • Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is determined to be safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
  • Do not be distressed if the electricity goes out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms turn on. They will likely be activated by a large tremor.
  • DO NOT use the elevators until the building staff has confirmed their safety. The power may fail during or after the earthquake, trapping you in the elevator cab.

If outdoors…

  • Stay there if it is safe to do so.
  • If necessary, move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
  • Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops.

If in a moving vehicle…

  • Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires (assume they are hot/live and stay in your car).
  • Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
  • Assess the situation before exiting the vehicle.
  • If possible, provide assistance to other motorists.

What To Do After an Earthquake

Be prepared for potential additional tremors and aftershocks. Aftershocks are common after an earthquake. After the first motion is felt, there may be a temporary decrease in motion followed by another shock. Aftershocks can occur several minutes hours or days after an initial shock.

If indoors…

  • …and you decide to shelter in place –
    • Evacuation after an earthquake should never be automatic. There may be more danger outside the building than there is inside. Sheltering in Place during and immediately following the earthquake is most likely the best option.
    • Do not light matches, use any open flames, or turn on electrical switches or appliances – there may be gas leaks in the building after an earthquake, and doing so could create an ignition source resulting in an explosion.
    • Never touch power lines or anything resembling electrical wiring, or any objects that may be in contact with electrical wires.
    • Only use the telephone to call Emergency Services for help. Tying up telephone lines may delay emergency response personnel.
    • Watch out for fires and fire hazards. If it is safe to do so, put out any fires discovered using the nearest fire extinguisher. If any fires cannot be extinguished, pull a fire alarm, contact Property Management and/or call 911.
  • …and you decide to evacuate –
    • Evacuation after an earthquake should never be automatic. There may be more danger outside the building than there is inside. Sheltering in Place during and immediately following the earthquake is most likely the best option.
    • If you decide to evacuate the building, take care to avoid hazards inside and outside the building such as broken glass, gas leakage, chemical spillage, unsafe structures, falling debris, trip hazards, downed power lines, etc.
    • Report to your company’s designated Evacuation Assembly location if it is free of the aforementioned hazards.
    • Make sure coworkers are safe and accounted for.
    • Assist people to safety.
    • Administer first aid as needed.
  • Akridge will seek to determine if the building must be evacuated. Akridge will consider the following:
    • Information and instructions provided by the local authorities.
    • Outside conditions.
    • Conditions of the building.
    • Availability of a safe evacuation path.
    • Availability of safe assembly areas outdoors.
    • Likelihood of further damage or threats due to the condition of building utilities (i.e. gas leaks, etc.).

If in an elevator…

  • …and there is power –
    • Assess the situation to determine if you should evacuate or shelter-in-place. Notify an employee or colleague of your whereabouts, and use the elevator call button/phone.
  • …and if there is no power –
    • Remain in the elevator. Do not attempt to open the doors.
    • Utilize the stop alarm button, and press the emergency elevator phone/button, and let the contact know who to call and inform of your whereabouts.

If trapped under debris…

  • Do not move about or kick up dust.
  • Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
  • Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Akridge Management Responsibilities

  • Akridge will gather information from authorities on an ongoing basis and follow their instructions.
  • If it is safe to do so, Akridge will conduct a thorough inspection of the building after an earthquake for the following conditions:
    • Structural damage to the building and damages to major pieces of equipment.
    • Leaking or damaged water, gas, and electrical lines.
    • Downed power lines.
    • Electrical wiring which is shorting out.
  • Report any utility damage to the utility companies and follow their instructions.
  • Prepare for remedial measures by contacting the necessary contractors as soon as possible.
  • Communicate with Clients using one or more of the following methods:
    • Email
    • Personal visit
    • Website
    • Twitter
    • Mass Notification System
    • Public Announcement System

Additional Resources (links updated March 11, 2019):

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