| Dear Hardin,
The 2012 Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill is now four weeks from today (October 18th at 10:18 a.m.), and more than 7.9 million people have been registered to participate!
If you participated in the past but have not yet renewed your registration for 2012, or if you are not sure if you are registered this year, please take a minute to log in today at ShakeOut.org/california/login. If you are already registered for 2012, thank you! Millions of people will practice earthquake safety and get prepared this year... because you, your organization, or your school is leading the way.
We encourage all participants to watch a great video from California Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross to learn how to prepare, survive, and recover!
September is National Preparedness Month
September 2012 marks the ninth year of FEMA's National Preparedness Month, which strives to remind U.S. citizens to prepare for disasters or emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. This year's slogan is "Pledge to Prepare, Awareness to Action." The goal is to transform awareness into action by encouraging citizens to ensure they are prepared for disasters and emergencies. In keeping with this year's slogan, FEMA encourages individuals, businesses and organizations to commit to doing at least one of the following: • Learn about emergency hazards and their appropriate responses
• Build an emergency kit
• Make a communications plan
• Get involved in preparedness in their community
Participating in the 2012 ShakeOut, and encouraging others to participate, is a great way to accomplish each of these commitments! Individuals, businesses, community organizations and places of worship can also register to become a National Preparedness Month Coalition Member, which is open to public and private organizations. Coalition members collaborate with fellow members across the country on ways to help get community members prepared.
 The image at left is from an event in August marking the one-year anniversary of an earthquake in Virginia that was felt throughout the East Coast, which damaged the Washington Monument. The event promoted National Preparedness Month and also launched the Great SouthEast ShakeOut, which spans Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland, and will also be held on October 18th!
 Countdown to ShakeOut!
The Earthquake Country Alliance has created Countdown to ShakeOut, a great single-page document for planning your drill, involving your employees, and making the most of available ShakeOut resources. It can easily be adapted for any type of organization.
Attention Building Managers...
To prepare for earthquakes, use ROVER to screen your buildings for seismic risk. The free FEMA-funded ROVER is software for your building professionals to rapidly screen your buildings before and after earthquakes. Optionally monitor your buildings with the ShakeCast-ROVER edition: free USGS software that alerts you when an earthquake affects your buildings and informs ROVER of its estimate of post-earthquake building safety. For ShakeOut, get ROVER, get trained, and practice safety inspections. See http://www.atc-rover.org/rover-ready and get ROVER Ready.
"2012 ShakeOut Participant" stickers and more...
 Schools, community groups, and many other organizations may be interested in our popular 1" round 2012 ShakeOut Participant stickers (similar to "I Voted" stickers), that are among the items available from the ShakeOut Shop such as t-shirts, buttons, drill leader kits, and more. This online store has been created for ShakeOut participants who are requesting items to commemorate their drills, spread preparedness messages, and encourage others to participate. In addition, your organization can become a ShakeOutShop Affiliate, and receive 10% of every purchase made by people who click a ShakeOut Shop link on your website. This can be a great fundraiser for schools and other groups!
Is your drill a potential ShakeOut Media Venue?
Will your drill on October 18th include interesting visuals or activities of potential interest to the news media? If so, please email info@shakeout.org with details, or complete our event submission form. We may include your event on our list of ShakeOut Media Venues which will be online soon.
Who will ShakeOut with you?  A great way to help your community, your employer, and others to prepare to survive and recover is to encourage them to register to participate in the Great California ShakeOut. Let them know that you are participating and ask them to join you by registering at ShakeOut.org/california. Spread the word at family gatherings, community events, and work meetings, and online with email, facebook, or twitter. You can also place one of the ShakeOut web banners on your organization's website, display posters in your office, distribute flyers, and use other materials available on the ShakeOut Resources page.
Thank you for your continued participation in this historic event and for your commitment to disaster preparedness!
 The Great California ShakeOut
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About us: At 10:18 a.m. on October 18, 2012, | | millions of Californians will participate in the largest earthquake drill ever! Register today at http://ShakeOut.org/california | | connect with me! | | |
                  
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