On Thursday, Oct. 16, USC joined millions worldwide in the annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill—marking the university’s 18th consecutive year of participation. The exercise allowed USC to test and strengthen its emergency preparedness and response systems across more than 40 schools and departments.
Department Operations Centers (DOCs) were activated to coordinate with the university’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), simulating real-time communication and response during an earthquake. Highlights included damage assessments by Facilities Planning & Management and Environmental Health & Safety, emergency communication tests by the Department of Public Safety, and disaster radio drills by the USC Amateur Radio Team. The Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT) and critical service units also practiced emergency activation and continuity plans.
“USC’s annual participation in the ShakeOut has become an essential part of our safety culture,” said Steven Goldfarb, director of Fire Safety and Emergency Planning. “It helps ensure the university community is prepared and resilient in the event of a real emergency.”
Check out photos from the day!
