Some catastrophic events arrive with forewarning. Earthquakes, however, generally occur with little or no notice. The rapid and unannounced arrival of an earthquake is precisely what makes it so destructive, and, to make matters worse, all it takes is 10 seconds of shaking earth to do major damage.

Earthquake Preparedness Planning

When you have just seconds to react to protect yourself, having a plan and knowing what to do can make all the difference. Start by creating an earthquake preparation plan – or emergency action plan. The plan should tell practice employees exactly what to do in case of an earthquake, including the best strategies to survive the quake itself.

A couple of minutes can change everything.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), disasters like earthquakes are so disruptive that almost 40 percent of affected small businesses never reopen their doors. The key to survival – for you, your staff, and your practice – is preparedness. And preparedness includes knowing what measures to take before, during, and after a quake. We recommend having a solid emergency action plan, disaster recovery plan, and business continuity plan to guide your practice – paired with regular trainings for your team. 

Understanding Earthquakes: Assess, Treat, Shelter, and Evacuate

An earthquake is rarely an isolated event. Typically, one or multiple aftershocks will follow a major quake – and these often can be even more devastating than the initial quake. Practices should consider how they’re going to protect their employees and property immediately following a quake. 

Advice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides, or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere without warning, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, and the entire Mississippi River Valley. Read more.

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Make sure you have the right insurance coverages and a crisis response plan in place.

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