Tong Sets Example for Great California ShakeOut Quake Drill

State government’s top technology executive, Chief Information Officer Amy Tong, was among more than 7.5 million Californians who participated in Thursday’s Great California ShakeOut, an annual emergency preparedness drill that involved a multitude of public agencies, schools and other organizations.
The California Department of Technology (CDT) tweeted a photo of Tong and her cat huddled under a table at 10:21 a.m., a few minutes after the alerts started rolling out, with this message: “State CIO Amy T. and her cat Jelly ‘drop, cover, and hold’ while teleworking during the Great CA shakeout. Get prepared and learn more about earthquake safety wherever you are!”

Participants who signed up received text messages, emails, automated phone calls or other notifications telling them that it was a drill and giving them an opportunity to practice earthquake safety drills.

“The Great California ShakeOut is an annual opportunity to practice how to be safer during big earthquakes: ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On,’” says the ShakeOut website, which lists the participating agencies. “The ShakeOut has also been organized to encourage you, your community, your school, or your organization to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies, and to secure your space in order to prevent damage and injuries. ShakeOut is also a reminder for Californians to be prepared financially, such as by exploring earthquake insurance. The not-for-profit California Earthquake Authority offers earthquake insurance throughout California for homeowners, renters, mobile home owners and condo-unit owners.”