Utah Valley University will participate in The Great ShakeOut Statewide Earthquake Exercise on April 19, at 10:15 a.m. across campus for the fifth year.
This exercise will help community members and emergency response personnel train and prepare for the potential Wasatch Front earthquake so that they are ready when a real earthquake strikes.
“We’ve identified multiple emergencies with the highest likelihood of occurring in our community that we prepare and plan for,” said Robin Ebmeyer, director of emergency management and safety at UVU. “This will allow us to respond and recover from those quickly and effectively in the event that they do occur.”
Internal communications systems will be tested during the ShakeOut, including the overhead broadcasting system, emergency management website, HAM radio operating system, the new text messaging system, and more.
Audible earthquake sounds will be broadcasted over the public announcement system for about 45 seconds while all on campus will practice getting somewhere safe, whether that be outside or under a desk.
The Mass Casualty Incident is a new simulation this year that EMT students and emergency personnel will take part in training for. People with simulated injuries will be in designated areas throughout the university in disaster makeup to be attended to.
Additional training and educational resources, multimedia, and information can be found at https://www.shakeout.org.
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About Utah Valley University
At 37,282 students and growing, Utah Valley University is the largest public university in the state of Utah and one of a few in the nation offering a dual-mission model that combines the rigor and richness of a first-rate teaching university with the openness and vocational programs of a community college. UVU’s unique model, which focuses on student success, engaged learning, rigorous academic programs and faculty-mentored research, is transforming higher education by making it more affordable and accessible to students of all backgrounds.