All employees should be familiar with the disaster plans and safety procedures to assist in the event of an earthquake. This includes the following steps:
1. Remain calm at all times, and reassure others to remain calm.
2. Immediately instruct patients and any other individuals in the room to find protection under something structurally sound (desk, sturdy fixture) or braced in a doorway. If you are unable to locate a safe place, use items such as cushions, mattresses, or chairs for protection. Remain in that location/position until the earthquake/shaking stops.
3. Do not allow staff and patients to leave the building during the earthquake.
4. Stay away from windows.
5. If the earthquake appears to be minor (no damage noted and all systems still functioning), continue working.
6. If the earthquake appears to be major (damage noted and systems are not operational), evacuate the building through the main entrance into the parking lot in accordance with the evacuation policy.
7. In the event that a patient or employee is injured and is not trapped, do not attempt to move the individual alone. Call for assistance from another adult.
8. In the event that a patient or employee is injured and is trapped, do not attempt to move the individual if the earthquake is still shaking. Wait for the earthquake to end. Call for assistance from another adult. Any attempts made to free the individual should not increase risk to others.
9. If a trapped individual is unable to be freed, immediately evacuate the building and notify emergency services (911). Stay outside the building until the emergency personnel have arrived to assist in locating and extracting the trapped individual.
10. Do not re-enter a damaged building unless instructed to do so by emergency personnel.
Note Earthquakes are usually followed by a series of smaller, yet potentially dangerous aftershocks. Continue to follow the procedures above to prevent possible injury.