Editor’s Note: Our fictional friends Jane and Zyir get ready to participate in the world’s largest earthquake drill.

By Robert Ambrose

ZYIR: (sneaks up and caresses Jane’s shoulders

JANE: (Smiling). How appropriate. I was just reading about preparing for earthquakes.

ZYIR: Not here.

JANE: Not so much. But in 2011 the National Monument cracked. Pennsy was shook up, too.

ZYIR: I remember. So what do we do?

JANE: Drop, cover and hold on. Get low to the ground by getting down on your hands and knees. Then, if you lose your balance, you are less far to fall.

ZYIR: And the Cover part?

JANE: Stay down on your knees. Take one arm and place it over your head and neck. Slide under a table because, remember, stuff like family photos, printers, a piece of the wall – anything – could fly around. The key is to protect your vital organs. That’s why you’re on your knees hunched over.

ZYIR: And since an earthquake can happen any time, we cannot choose our location.

JANE: Exactly.

ZYIR: So, I cannot find a table to crawl under. What do I do?

JANE: Head for the wall, staying on your knees low.

 ZYIR: I want to participate in a group to learn more about earthquakes than what I would talking about it in Pennsy. What do I do?

JANE: Why not register for October 17’s International Shakeout Day?

 ZYIR: Huh?

JANE: At exactly 10:17AM local time people worldwide are going to practice for a possible earthquake.

ZYIR: Maybe. You know I don’t need another password though. Give me some details to sell me on this idea. Then maybe I will register online.

JANE: There are over two dozen categories of participants. Depending on your situation you may update family plans and learn to secure things. You could restock that emergency supply kit we have.

ZYIR: What other categories are there?

JANE: In healthcare you could get CERT training. Same with education and government. Any organization for that matter. The preparation is the same as for the individual. CERT training is for a workplace.

ZYIR: Makes sense.

JANE: Do you believe that we need this exercise?

ZYIR: We’re not in the “ring of fire” like California, Oregon and Washington states but…

JANE: But earthquakes can happen anywhere even Pennsy.

ZYIR: I already registered for October 17’s International Shakeout Day.

JANE: Good for you.

ZYIR: Good for us. I put you down, too.

JANE: 10:17AM on 10/17. Noted.