This post was updated Oct. 16 at 8:02 p.m.
October is Bruin Earthquake Awareness Month. In the case of an unexpected natural disaster, there is no question that practice and preparation can save lives.
Thinking through an action plan in advance helps you stay calmer and more focused when the real event occurs – and in Southern California, it is critical for all of us to be prepared for a number of possibilities, including earthquakes.
On Thursday at 10:16 a.m., UCLA students, faculty and staff are asked to “Drop! Cover! Hold On!” during the Great ShakeOut – also known as the world’s largest virtual earthquake drill.
The ShakeOut is a chance for our Bruin community to practice its response to an earthquake while UCLA conducts a test of the BruinALERT emergency notification system. UCLA’s Office of Emergency Management will send a BruinALERT announcing the drill via text, email and the Bruins Safe app.
All UCLA students, staff and faculty are automatically enrolled in BruinALERT and will receive notifications in the event of an emergency. Campus faculty and staff with valid email addresses and mobile phone numbers in UCPath and students with valid email addresses and mobile phone numbers in MyUCLA are automatically enrolled to receive email and text message alerts.
UCLA Health faculty and staff in Mednet with a declared work location in the Westwood area are automatically enrolled to receive email alerts. It is important to please take a moment to verify your current information on these platforms:
- Students: Add or verify contacts via MyUCLA.
- Campus faculty and staff: Add or verify contacts via UCPath.
- Health faculty and staff: Add or verify contacts via Mednet.
- Parents and community members: Text ‘BRUINALERT’ to 888777 to enroll in SMS text notifications. There is no charge, but message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.
In an actual emergency, when you receive a BruinALERT, you are asked to visit Bruins Safe Online for more information. We recommend bookmarking the site and sharing it with family and friends who may want to be informed about emergency events at UCLA. It is your primary source of verified information from OEM during emergencies.
Emergency preparedness and response rely on having the best information available in a timely manner. During wildfires, spills, active shooter situations and more, it is critical that you take a few minutes to connect with all available and accurate resources.
I strongly encourage all Bruins to download the Bruins Safe app – which provides quick access to response information for potential emergency scenarios and critical campus safety features such as UCLA emergency contacts and Friend Walk – from either Google Play or the Apple Store. The app also gives easy access to the BSO website and campus maps.
Visit the OEM website for content on planning for and responding to emergency events. Wherever you are, I hope you will practice your “Drop! Cover! Hold On!” skills for one minute Thursday. Links to the ShakeOut drill are available in English and Spanish so you can practice at any time. I also invite you to reach out by email if you have any questions or suggestions throughout the year.
As always, stay safe and be prepared!
Lisa Martin
Director, UCLA Office of Emergency Management
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