The Department of Disaster Management is inviting residents to take part in ShakeOut, an annual global earthquake safety drill scheduled for Oct. 16.
DDM Director Jasen Penn said the exercise is particularly relevant for this territory and the wider Caribbean, which experience hundreds of earthquakes each year.
“For example, in the area around the Virgin Islands, the [United States VI] and Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Seismic Network has recorded 391 significant earthquakes in 2025 so far,” Mr. Penn said.
ShakeOut promotes awareness of the “drop, cover and hold” method, which first responders and emergency managers call the safest way to react to an earthquake, according to the director.
“Research has shown that getting low and, if possible, under a sturdy desk or table is the best way to protect yourself during shaking,” he said. “We hope that by practising this response regularly, persons will be able to quickly protect themselves if a major quake occurs.”
In 2024, more than 50 million people around the world took part in the drill, which is typically held on the third Thursday in October. The VI has participated each year since 2018.
How to participate
Residents can register for the event online.
When the drill starts on Oct. 16, participants should first alert their family or team that the exercise is under way, according to DDM.
Then they should drop, cover and hold for 60 seconds under a desk or table — or crouch low near an interior wall while covering the head and neck.
Afterwards, they may add post-quake activities such as moving to a tsunami assembly point, assessing a building for damage, or testing communications.
Finally, participants should gather to discuss what went well and what could be improved, according to DDM.
For further advice, contact DDM at 468- 4200 or ddm@gov.vg
