Earthquake Preparedness Checklist
Many people associate the risk of earthquakes with seismically-active areas like California, parts of Washington State, areas in and around Yellowstone
National Park, and some areas of Nevada and Utah. In actuality, the risk of earthquakes exists across a broad area of the United States and Canada.
The following checklists review some basic issues to consider when preparing for an earthquake, which will help you recover more effectively in the
aftermath. In the event of an earthquake, planning for these contingencies will ensure that vital activities continue, and will help to minimize lasting
damage to your business and resources.
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Before the Earthquake
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Be aware of your risk level. Add a map to your disaster recovery plan and make sure everyone is aware of the
earthquake risk level in your specified region.
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Review your insurance policy to ensure coverage for earthquake and ensuing loss. Discuss coverage with your insurance
provider. Understand your extra expense and business interruption policies, before the interruption occurs.
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Think about how you will continue communications, as it is likely land lines and cell towers will be down. Your disaster
recovery/response team will need to be in immediate contact with one another to ensure that your plan is activated and
moving forward as quickly as possible. Consider two-way radios or text messages.
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Have your Vendor Resource List complete and filed. Update your Emergency Resource List and Emergency Phone List.
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Develop a plan around communication, and provide this to your team. Be sure to clearly identify each individual’s
roles and responsibility prior to the earthquake.
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Implement structural and non-structural hazard mitigation actions; such as bolting furniture to walls, installing
safety latches for cabinet doors, installing fire sprinklers, using hook and loop fasteners to keep computers and other
equipment from falling.
Advise staff members of emergency cut-off valves and procedures.
Contract with a security company to provide 24-hour security in the event of an earthquake. Keep emergency phone
numbers and contact names off-site in the event that phone lines are down.
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Contact your property owner or facilities manager to determine if a laminate or plastic film can be installed on the
inside of the windows to prevent glass shattering and endangering employees.
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Prepare your building for an extensive power outage and look at alternative power options, particularly
generators. Contact Agility or your local electrician for assistance with this.
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Review your current data backup procedures and consider contracting with a data center or collocation facility that
is in a different part of the country (one not prone to earthquakes, hurricanes or any other kind of natural disasters).
Backup all data to them on a daily (or at least every other day) basis, so that in the event you lose your networks and
servers you can be back up and running and restoring your saved data to replacement equipment.
Assemble and store emergency supply kit for a minimum of three days (see checklist for emergency supply kit).
Compile building site maps and floor plans identifying exits, fire escapes, stairways, utility valves and shutoffs, fire
extinguishers, hydrants and standpipes, hazardous materials and locked or restricted areas. Include these in your plan.
© 2014 Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. All rights reserved.
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Earthquake Preparedness Checklist (cont.)

During the Earthquake
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If you are indoors, duck or drop down to the floor. Take cover under a sturdy desk, table or other furniture. Hold
on to it and be prepared to move with it. Hold the position until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move.
Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, wood stoves and heavy furniture or appliances that may fall over. Stay inside to
avoid being injured by falling glass or building parts. If you are in a crowded area, take cover where you are. Stay
calm and encourage others to do the same.
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If you are outside, get into the open, away from buildings and power lines.
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If you are in a mountainous area, or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rock and other debris that
could be loosened by the earthquake.
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If you are near the beach, move quickly to higher ground or several hundred yards inland in the event the
earthquake has triggered a tsunami.
If you are driving, stop if it is safe, but stay inside your car. Stay away from bridges, overpasses and tunnels. Move your car
as far out of the normal traffic pattern as possible. If possible, avoid stopping under trees, light posts, power lines or signs.

After the Earthquake
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Return to the property as instructed by a supervisor, corporate office, owner or manager. Staff members should be
advised to report to work with two changes of clothes, personal hygiene items and a two day supply of drinking water
and food that doesn’t require refrigeration. Managers should immediately begin taking pictures of property and have
their cell phones, pagers and two-way radios for communication in the event phone lines are down. Limit calls to
preserve the battery. Look out and listen for leaking gas lines and electrical system damage. Also check for sewage and
waterline damage. Managers should also establish a safe zone where employees can check in with the staff to report
their condition and other important information
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Upon return, call 911 to report any injuries or situations that need immediate attention, such as a fire and call
applicable utility companies as necessary. Check for fire hazards, gas leaks or damaged electrical wiring. Make sure the
main valves are turned off. Implement the fire plan if necessary.

Immediately check for injuries among fellow workers and render first aid. Seriously injured persons should not be
moved unless they are in danger of further injury. Instruct staff to use flashlights (in emergency supply kit) vs.
matches/lighters, due to potential gas leaks.
© 2014 Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. All rights reserved.
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Earthquake Preparedness Checklist (cont.)


After the Earthquake
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Be prepared for aftershocks – these can come for several days after the main quake and can frequently topple already
weakened structures. Aftershocks can occur in the first hours, days, weeks or even months after a quake.
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Contemplate relocating during recovery, depending upon damage to the structure. Contact Agility for assistance
finding alternate space.
After dealing with any emergency situations:
• Check on employees with disabilities or those who need special care that have contacted your office.
• Identify missing employees and inform emergency personnel.
• Contact security company to restrict flow of traffic, direct emergency crews and patrol property, as necessary,
based on damage. Employees should be prepared to show identification and be advised that employees only will
be allowed on property.
• As soon as possible, inventory all damage by performing a unit-by-unit inspection.
»» Inspect buildings for cracks or other damage, paying particular attention to foundations, retaining walls,
fireplaces and surrounding land. Take photos of all damage.
»» Set up a separate financial report and accounting code to capture all associated expenses.
»» Retain all receipts.
• Contact local hospitals regarding injured employees and keep a log of all calls.
• Contact supervisor, corporate office and owner or insurance agent to verbally advise them of damages so an
adjuster can be sent to the site. Complete an incident report and forward pictures.
• Contact vendors such as a cleaning company, biohazard company, electrician, plumber, etc. to begin cleanup as
soon as possible to reduce further damage to the property.
• Cordon off areas where there is damage with caution tape. Keep all persons out of dangerous areas until a
determination is made regarding safety.
• Relocate any tenant who has lost their unit into any vacancies on the property. If there are not any vacancies, relocate
to another property managed by your company or owner or refer them to the local shelters or to the Red Cross.
• As directed by your supervisor, corporate office, owner or insurance agent, begin accepting bids for repairs to the
property. When bids are received determine whether or not it is an FYI or a claim dependent on your deductible.
Retain receipts for emergency repairs and overtime for your staff caused by the earthquake to include with your bids.
• Advise employees to contact their insurance broker to make personal claims if needed.
Once demolition/reconstruction begins, ensure area is secured by the contractor (i.e., construction fence, caution
tape, etc.). The area should be restricted and cleaned to reduce liability exposures.
• Post flyers for communication to employees.
• Review earthquake plan for problems and update as necessary.
• Write thank you letters to contractors, fire department and other first responders for their assistance during the crisis.
• Commend staff members who performed their duties in an exemplary fashion.
• Replace and restock items on the Disaster Supply List.
• Service fire extinguishers as needed.
• Complete any mitigation or corrective measures as directed by FEMA or other insurance carrier.
© 2014 Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. All rights reserved.
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Earthquake Preparedness Checklist (cont.)

Your People
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Ensure you have an emergency communication plan in place prior to the event, evacuation or threat.
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After the danger from the earthquake has passed, notify all critical people of next steps, dependent on damage.
Determine who is certified in CERT, CPR, etc. and what their responsibilities will be in the event of an earthquake.
During evacuation have a central point of contact for all employees and ensure you know where your people are located.
During evacuation consider your phones lines; redirection to cell phones, answering service, Google Voice or Agility
lines could be critical to continuing operations after an earthquake.
An earthquake’s magnitude is measured by the Richter Scale. The Richter Scale provides a measure that quantifies the amount
of seismic energy released by the earthquake. The scale is theoretically limitless, although the highest magnitude recorded to
date was 9.5 in the 1960 Valdivia (Chile) earthquake.
© 2014 Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. All rights reserved.
Intensity
Scale
Description
Effects
8+
Great
Serious Damage Over Several
Hundred Miles
7-8
Major
Serious Damage Over Wider Area
6-7
Strong
Damaging Over a 100 Mile Area
5-6
Moderate
Some Damage
4-5
Light
Shaking Observed
3-4
Minor
Often Felt, No Damage
2-3
Very Minor
Not Felt but Recorded
less than 2
Micro
Not Felt
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