School disaster readiness: lessons from the first Great Southern California Shakeout

This report presents the lessons learned from the first Great Southern California ShakeOut on 13 November 2008. The ShakeOut initiated the largest community‐wide earthquake drill in US history with 5.5 million participants including 80% of Southern California students in Kindergarten through 12th grades (4 million). This meant participation of 207 separately governed school districts and 650 private schools in 8 counties.

This Introduction section of the report places the ShakeOut in the context of international school safety, and the work of the Coalition for Global School Safety and Disaster Prevention Education and Risk RED.

The Background section covers:
School Disaster Impacts and Key Policy Measures in California
Structural Safety Concerns in California Schools
Disaster Management (SEMS) Issues in California Schools

ShakeOut Earthquake School Preparedness Survey Findings reports on results in 3 areas:
-Assessment and Planning
-Physical & Environmental Risk Reduction
-Response Capacity Development: Skills & Provisions

ShakeOut Earthquake School Post‐Drill Survey Findings reports on results in 3 areas:
-Drill Frequency, Process & Evaluation;
-Drop Cover and Hold & Evacuation Drill;
-ICS / NIMS / SEMS Drill;
and  Survey Findings from a County Office of Education

In addition, the on-site study team reports on:
-School‐Site Observations & Debriefings
-Case Study: An Earthquake Drill in one Public High School
- Post Drill Debriefing

Conclusions discuss next steps. There is a full Reference list.

Appendices include:
-School Disaster Reduction & Readiness Checklist
-PostDrill SelfEvaluation Form
-International Resources for School Disaster Management
-ShakeOut Blog Comments received related to Schools and School Children