The Great California ShakeOut began in 2008, as the Great Southern California ShakeOut, an effort to educate the public about emergency management during a large earthquake. It was the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history at the time with a total of 5.4 million participants spanning eight counties in the southern part of the state.

In 2009, the ShakeOut expanded to include the entire state of California — all 58 counties, divided into 11 areas. More than 6.9 million Californians participated, practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On and other aspects of family, school, and organizational emergency plans. The 2010 ShakeOut will be on October 21st. To get more information and/or register for that event, click here.

According to one of the Midwest exercise organizers, the Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), the event is to bring more attention to — and improve preparedness for – the earthquake threat in the middle of the country:

The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut in April 2011 will involve more than 1 million people through a broad-based outreach program, partnership with the media, and public advocacy by hundreds of partners. This event is being organized by CUSEC and our Member States: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. The ShakeOut will be centered around a simultaneous drop, cover, and hold drill that will be held at 10:15 AM CDT on April 28, 2011. The drill is designed to increase awareness and be a simple thing that can be done easily by many people…

The 2011 ShakeOut drill will be the largest earthquake preparedness event in central U.S. history. Soon, a website detailing ShakeOut drill procedures, registration, and promotion, will be ready at www.ShakeOut.org/centralus. At this website, you will be able to pledge your family, school, business, or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered participants will receive information on how to plan their drill and how to create a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. All organizers ask is that participants register (so the can be counted and receive communications), and at the minimum practice “drop, cover, and hold on” at the specified time. It is only a five minute commitment for something that can save your life. It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone.

To register for The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut click here. To register for The Great California ShakeOut, click here.

The campaign will encourage Americans to take simple actions like building an emergency kit, creating a communication and evacuation plan and being informed about disasters common in their communities. It includes an interactive online game, Prepare4, which not only quizzes you on what preparedness supplies to store in case of an emergency but will also offer to email you a list customized for family size, age of kids, pets, etc.

Corporate sponsor FedEx will promote the campaign in its stores and NASCAR races, including those held in Richmond, Indianapolis and Philadelphia. Clorox will be distributing educational materials online and via retail stores. For more information on the campaign as well as the Red Cross’ emergency preparedness recommendations for the public, you can go to http://www.redcross.org/domore.

Also on the DHS Ready Kids is a cute National Preparedness Month song written by teachers and students of Parks Elementary  School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:

(Sung to the tune of “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain”)
Oh, September is the month to get prepared/For emergencies at home or anywhere/So now get your act together/Be prepared for stormy weather/Oh, September is the month to get prepared.

Know some basic stuff goes in your disaster kit/So be sure to make a list and don’t forget/Make your family plans together/Be prepared for any weather/Oh, September is the month to get prepared.

You need tools and food and water for 3 days/Also, radio, flashlight batteries for your stay/Grab your first aid kit and some clothes to wear/Don’t forget your underwear!/Oh, September is the month to get prepared.

Oh, September is the month to get prepared/You will know just what to do and not be scared./So let’s get our kits together/We’re prepared for stormy weather/Cause September is the month to be prepared.