Earthquake Experience at the Office

I was working overtime earlier (as I always do every Monday since it’s coding day for our car) when I felt a mild shake in my work area.  I was already alone in our area but good thing the adjacent office still has people in there.

My first instinct was to observe the swaying of the building. I slowly walked towards a steel cabinet near me (about 10 steps from my cubicle) and was ready to sit down on the floor with my back on the steel cabinet, should the swaying gets stronger and faster. 

Thankfully the swaying stopped.  As I went back to my cube, it swayed again but it’s definitely lighter than the first one.    Overall, the quake lasted about 25 seconds.

On the way home, my thoughts were on the following:  What if it’s the major one?   What should I grab immediately when an earthquake struck when I am in the office?    

All I know is that I will not seek cover under the tables, but will sit beside a steel cabinet or some heavy object (like the refrigerator in the pantry, which is no longer working).   Should I grab my water bottle so that in case I will be trapped, I will have water to survive by?   I don’t have a Go-bag yet  but I am seriously considering preparing one for our home and another one for the office.

What’s a Go-Bag?

Go-bags are designed for use:

• At home, so you can remain in place even without utilities;
• If you must evacuate your home; or
• If you cannot return home.

Because you may be away from home when disaster strikes, you are advised to keep a Go-bag at work and in your vehicle.

Every Go-bag should include:

• Food and water (as much as you can practically carry)
• Portable radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and handbook
• 5-day supply of any medications you take regularly and a copy of your prescriptions
• Whistle (to alert rescuers to your location)
• Personal hygiene supplies (including toilet paper)
• Emergency lighting (e.g. glow sticks, flashlight, headlamp) and extra batteries
• Large garbage bags and paper towels
• Change of clothing and a hat
• Sturdy shoes, in case an evacuation requires walking long distances
• Dust mask
• Pen, paper and tape
• Cash in small denominations
• Copy of health insurance card and driver license or
• identification card
• Photos of family members for reunification purposes
• List of emergency contact phone numbers

Source:  San Francisco Department of Emergency Management

It’s kinda long list but all items will serve a purpose or two.    Disaster readiness is a must especially now that calamities are becoming catastrophic every day.

Earth, I pray that you be still.