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The countdown to the ShakeOut earthquake drill is nearing completion !
If you haven’t registered to take part in this national earthquake drill this Thursday 15 October at 9.15am don’t freak out – there is still time to sign up.
What’s it all about?
If you’re new to ShakeOut we recommend a collection of videos on the New Zealand ShakeOut 2015 Youtube page, which includes the list of clips given further below.
BUT first, NewsRoom’s creative writer Rupeni Vatubuli has put together an alternative set of lyrics to Chic’s hit single Le Freak to inject some added soul and a touch of disco for ShakeOut 2015:
Ah, ShakeOut
don’t freak, stay calm
ShakeOut
Ah, ShakeOut
Don’t freak
stay calm
ShakeOut
Have you heard about the new dance craze?
It might save your life, and leave your friends amazed.
Do the shake, in case of an earthquake
It’s really easy, it like eating a piece of cake.
Call your friends and your family too, can join in
And if gets too easy, you can even help us sing
Ah, ShakeOut
Don’t freak, stay calm
ShakeOut
What to do, when an earthquake hits the town?
You just stop…Drop and hit the ground
Next step, is to cover…your head and your neck
Under a table or low furniture that won’t fall back
But if you’re outside and a cover is what you lack
Just find a wall or anything strong that’ll have your back
Ah, ShakeOut
Don’t freak, stay calm
ShakeOut
Don’t freak
I said ShakeOut
Now shake
Don’t run outside, coz you or someone might get hurt
Never trust the doors, you must always be alert
Look around your house and plan your next move
In case of earthquake, you’ll know where to break your groove
This is where our song comes to an end
Thank you friends, till another time again
But for now, I want you to dance and scream:
Ah, ShakeOut
Don’t freak, stay calm
ShakeOut
Don’t freak
I said ShakeOut
Now shake
Official video clips for New Zealand ShakeOut 2015
Background Information
Coordinated by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management and local authorities around New Zealand the drill provides an opportunity to practise the right action to take during an earthquake – Drop, Cover and Hold.
New Zealand ShakeOut 2015 is run in conjunction with MCDEM’s public education campaign Get Ready, Get Thru. The drill is based on the Great Southern California ShakeOut, a proven approach that started in 2008 and now happens globally.
A sampling of messages released from around the country:
As noted just today, Tuesday 13 October, by Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye: “Last night we had a timely reminder that New Zealand isn’t called the shaky isles for no reason, with a 5.8 magnitude quake just east of Pongaroa”.
“On average, we have around one earthquake every half hour in New Zealand, or 20,000 earthquakes a year. Around 250 of these are large and close enough to feel.
“While Thursday is a drill, we never know when we may have to drop, cover and hold for real. That’s why this drill is so important”.
- Christchurch City Council – Public Education & Community Resilience Coordinator Alicia Palmer says it’s important Canterbury leads the way, showing we take preparedness seriously. “By participating in NZ ShakeOut we’re showing the rest of the country, new migrants and young children that everyone needs to practise and be prepared for an emergency,” she says.
. - Auckland Council – If you see people diving under their desks this Thursday, be prepared to join them. By doing so, you’ll be among the first people on earth to take part in an international earthquake drill, ShakeOut, at 9.15am on Thursday 15 October. More than 1.1 million New Zealanders – including 380,000 Aucklanders – have signed up to take part, which could make it the biggest (per capita) ShakeOut drill in the world.families to schools, shops, businesses and other organisations.”
. - Dunedin City Council – Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says, “As well as practising the right action to take before, during and after an earthquake, New Zealand ShakeOut is a timely opportunity for us all to think about how prepared we are for the possibility of other types of disasters.” Mr Cull said recent events – such as last week’s fire at Saddle Hill, a national tsunami warning in September, and the June flooding event in Dunedin – had shown emergencies could happen at any time and often without much warning.
Specific Tips for Businesses and Business Continuity:
Courtesy of Dunedin City Council
- Making sure staff emergency contact lists are up-to-date
- Connect with critical suppliers and customers
- Back-up your data and make a plan
- Get your staff to test your plan
- Plan for the absence of key personnel
- Check your insurance
- Build your networks.
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