Earthquake Instructions

Earthquake drills begin with an emergency tone and are then announced over the school speaker system.

When TOPS staff and students are alerted by an emergency tone and announcement, “This is an Earthquake drill”, teachers or staff members will follow the following procedures: 

DROP to the ground 

COVER your head and neck and seek shelter under a sturdy desk or table nearby 

HOLD on to your shelter and be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops 

In classrooms, students and staff should drop, cover, and hold on by taking shelter under a table or desk, facing away from windows, and holding onto the furniture’s legs. Close your eyes to protect them from flying glass or debris.  

In the TOPS Gym (or other rooms lacking desks or other suitable head-cover protection), do not immediately drop, cover, and hold. Move to an area in the space, or against a wall) that is away from windows, flying glass or debris. When safe to do so, drop, cover, and hold.  

In the TOPS Library, drop, cover and hold. If taking shelter under a table or desk, facing away from windows, and holding onto the furniture’s legs. Close your eyes to protect them from flying glass or debris. 

If you are outdoors, move away from the building, poles, wires, and other elevated objects. When you are away from the building, crouch low to the ground to avoid injury by being knocked down by the earthquake. Drop, cover, and hold.  

In all scenarios:  

• If there are no sturdy objects to hold onto, be in a crouching position to protect your vital organs and be ready to move if necessary.  
• Always cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. 
• Remain in place until the shaking stops, an evacuation order is given, or the all-clear signal or end-of-drill announcement is made. Do not move to another location or outside. 
• If you are unable to Drop, Cover, and Hold On: If you have difficulty getting safely to the floor on your own, get as low as possible, protect your head and neck, and move away from windows or other items that can fall on you.
• If gas or fire is noticed, classrooms should evacuate as soon as possible and notify admin/911.  

After an earthquake, follow TOPS Building Evacuation Instructions when told to evacuate the building. 

When TOPS administration announces a building evacuation,  teachers or staff members will follow the following procedures.

1. Grab the red backpack with the Emergency Packet from the wall hook.   
2. Get your students’ attention.
3. Read loudly from the packet’s coversheet to students:  
   1. We are evacuating the building.  
   2. If you have a backpack or coat here in the room, you may take these with you.
   3. We are going to our field location.
4. Close your room door upon leaving after your students exit. Do not lock your door.
5. Go to your room’s assigned field location. Line your students up at your designated area. All classes on Eastlake will face the building with teachers at the front of the line. Students are to be silent so they can hear any instructions.

Once you and your class are in place on the field…

1. Take attendance on the field. 
2. Hold up the green card if all students are present are in your line or the red card if you’re missing a student and/or a student is scheduled to be with another teacher.
3. Listen for an all-clear to return to class or further announcements regarding the evacuation.

Please see the Evacuation Procedures page for more evacuation what-ifs.

What-ifs…   

• If a student is in a wheelchair, lock the wheels and remain seated until the shaking stops. Always protect your head and the student’s neck and head with your arms, a pillow, a book, or anything sturdy that is available.