Earthquake
Key Contacts
UC Police Department (UCPD) & UCLA Fire:
9-1-1
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S):
(310) 825-9797
Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM):
(310) 825-2200
(310) 267-7100
(310) 825-9236
Alert
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
Bruin Safe Online
UCLA Campus StatusPrepare
- Review the Earthquake Preparedness Factsheet
- Review the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for your area
- Conduct earthquake drills
- Put together or purchase an emergency kit including at least three days’ worth of food and water in your home and workplace
- Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets, shelves, equipment and any other furniture
- Place large, heavy and breakable items on lower shelves
- Ensure cabinets are shut after each use to avoid spills and shattering of glass during an earthquake
- Anchor top-heavy and freestanding furniture such as bookcases, cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs to keep them from toppling over
- Anchor overhead lighting fixtures to joists
- Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs.
Respond
- "DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON." If you are not near a sturdy table, drop to the floor against an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms
- Avoid windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances and cabinets filled with heavy objects
- Do not stand in doorways
- Do not run out of your building during strong shaking, as you could be injured by falling debris (glass, roof tiles, concrete, etc.)
- Do not use elevators
- Stay inside a building after an earthquake unless there is a life-threatening situation
- If you use a wheelchair, lock the wheels and cover your head.
- Move to a clear area if you can safely walk
- Avoid buildings and trees.
- Pull to the side of the road and stop
- Avoid stopping under overhead hazards or near buildings.
- Be prepared for aftershocks—they may be frequent and could exceed the first quake
- Evacuate if it is safe to do so and proceed to your designated area
- Check the people around you for injuries; provide first aid. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of a gas leak, hazardous material spill, fire or falling debris
- Check for dangerous conditions such as fires, downed power lines and structure damage
- Put out small fires immediately with a nearby fire extinguisher (if you are trained to use them)
- Check office phones to ensure they have not been disconnected
- Inspect your work areas for damage.
- Move as little as possible to not kick up dust. Cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief or clothing
- Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are. Use a whistle if one is available (keep one in your emergency kit). Shout only as a last resort.