Bellevue Will Hold Major Earthquake Drill This Week

BELLEVUE, WA — There's an earthquake coming to Bellevue this week — thankfully, it's a simulated one.

City of Bellevue workers across multiple departments will take part in the "Tectonic Bellevue" earthquake drill on Thursday. Although the drill is for city staff to prepare for an earthquake disaster, residents might see parts of the drill playing out at city offices or on city streets.

The drill will simulate an earthquake along the Seattle Fault Zone. Although less heralded than the Cascadia Subduction Zone, the Seattle Fault runs from Bremerton east to Sammamish, and has the potential to produce up to a magnitude 7 quake.

Here's more on the drill from a city of Bellevue press release:

Led by the Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management, city staff train year-round for disasters that could disrupt the lives of people who live and work in Bellevue. On Thursday, June 6, staff will participate, in “Tectonic Bellevue” — a one-day, full-scale exercise that will require staff to act and coordinate as if a major earthquake struck along the Seattle Fault Zone.

While monthly briefings of key staff and online trainings developed by FEMA are helpful, simulated emergencies give city employees in every department the closest to a hands-on experience striving to provide services (often out-of-ordinary) in a crisis.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to practice how Bellevue staff will respond during an emergency event,” said Curry Mayer, the city’s emergency manager. “These types of coordinated drills also help give us an idea of what is working and what we need to improve on. It’s really valuable.”

In the June 6 scenario, the earthquake causes significant damage to local streets, highways, water mains and the power grid. The exercise, organized and led by Emergency Management, will be an opportunity for city departments to coordinate disaster operations, identify planning gaps and solidify relationships between responders. Objectives primarily focus on emergency communications, damage assessment and shelter operations. Players will include staff from multiple departments who would serve in the city’s Emergency Operations Center, as well as leadership on the Emergency Operations Board.

All city staff will participate in a “drop, cover and hold” drill at the beginning of the exercise. If you stop by City Hall or have occasion to work with the city on June 6 and see increased activity, there is likely no cause for alarm. While it is important the city does its part to prepare for disasters, residents are also encouraged to think ahead. In a disaster, your family, neighbors and friends may be your primary source of support and assistance. Preparedness is essential to ensuring the community can recover. Emergency Management recommends residents have supplies to be self-sufficient for two weeks. These include critical items like food, water, shelter and medicine.