All across California the Earthquake County Alliance and America’s PrepareAthon will be hosting The Great California Shake Out, one of the largest earthquake drills in United States History. The program aids people in preparing for an earthquake and provides education necessary for protecting oneself should the need arise.  
During the month of October, California State University Stanislaus, (Stan State) will be joining in on the program among many others around the world. 
The Safety & Risk and Management team of Stan State promotes this event to all students, faculty and staff.  They encourage students to get involved and register online to learn more about how to survive an earthquake.
In times of disaster, most people react quickly and with basic knowledge that is already known.  Laura Rodriguez-Mascorro, an Emergency and Continuity Coordinator of Stan State, feels that knowing these drills provides a sense of confidence and intelligence during an earthquake disaster.
“It is important for the campus community to participate in these drills because it will help us all be prepared for when we are faced with having to survive an earthquake,” Rodriguez-Mascorro said. “We want the campus community to know the safe way to react to an earthquake by dropping to the ground, covering yourself and your head, and holding on to a sturdy object such as a desk.”
Living in California, Rodriguez-Mascorro stated people are more vulnerable to disasters like earthquakes and urges those at Stan State to get involved.
“Every year CSU Stanislaus registers to participate in the Shakeout along with many other organizations such as sister CSUs, and FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency]. During the Shakeout, Safety & Risk Management sends out a campus-wide email to remind the campus community to participate in the Shakeout,” Rodriguez-Mascorro said.
She added that there are even incentives to participating in the program.
Last year, completing the registration and survey entered students into a drawing where from “those that took the survey ten lucky winners won a meal voucher to Chartwells Main Dining,” Rodriguez-Mascorro said.
Though most people do not need any incentives or convincing that preparation is key in surviving a disaster. Jasmine Mecias (senior, Liberal Studies) understands the importance of knowing what to do during a time of great disaster. 
“I think [preparing for an earthquake] is very important because I mean if we know [what to do] people won’t panic and they [will] know exactly what to do and where to go. And if we don’t know we’re all going be like ‘ahhhhh,’ running everywhere, and it’s gonna be chaos,” Mecias said.
Jennifer Munoz (senior, Liberal Studies) had the same thoughts and stated that now, more than ever, it is important to be prepared.
“Pretty much with everything going on right now even more, like the fact if we’re like not aware of what to do, like if there was to be an earthquake, obviously yeah like she said chaos. It would be pretty bad,” Munoz said. 
The worldwide participation event on how to Drop, Cover and Hold On will be held on Oct. 19, 2017 at 10:19 a.m. 
To register and find out more information you can visit the Great California Shake Out Website.