A regional earthquake preparedness drill – the Great Central U.S. Shakeout – will be held Feb. 7 and East Tennessee residents are encouraged to take part and learn what supplies to have on hand and what to do if an earthquake strikes. The Great Central U.S. Shakeout is a coordinated drill that will take place February 7 at 10:15 a.m. local time.

“You could be anywhere when an earthquake happens,” said Mary Beth Birge, Red Cross East Tennessee Regional Emergency Services Director.  “Households, businesses and schools should take this opportunity to create or update their emergency plans and to practice what to do in case of an earthquake.”

Download Free Red Cross Earthquake App

The free American Red Cross Earthquake App, available in English and Spanish, gives users access to real-time information so they know what to do before, during and after earthquakes. Features of the app include:

Simple steps and checklists people can use to create a family emergency plan;

Earthquake epicenter location, impact magnitude and local geographical impact data provided by the U.S. Geological Survey;

A “Shake Zone Impact Map” that provides real-time, simplified impact assessment when available;

Preloaded content that gives users instant access to critical action steps, even without mobile connectivity;

One-touch “I’m safe” messaging that allows users to inform family and friends via social media outlets that they are out of harm’s way;

Toolkit with flashlight, strobe light and audible alarm; and

Locations of open Red Cross shelters.

The Earthquake App can be found in the HYPERLINK “http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/earthquake-by-american-red/id557946227?ls=1&mt=8″Apple App Store and the HYPERLINK “https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cube.arc.efa”Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross. Information on all American Red Cross apps can be found at  HYPERLINK “http://www.redcross.org/mobileapps” redcross.org/mobileapps. Additional earthquake safety tips are available at  HYPERLINK “http://www.redcross.org/prepare” redcross.org/prepare. People can learn more about the ShakeOut at  HYPERLINK “http://www.shakeout.org/centralus” shakeout.org/centralus.

Join the Ready Rating Program

Red Cross Ready Rating™ ( HYPERLINK “http://www.readyrating.org” readyrating.org) is a free, web-based program designed to help businesses, organizations and schools become better prepared for emergencies. Members complete a self assessment of their current readiness level and receive immediate customized feedback and resources to improve their score.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/redcross.org” redcross.org or join our blog at  HYPERLINK “http://blog.redcross.org/” \t “_blank” blog.redcross.org

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