It looks like a training broadcast for the Earthquake Early Warning will be played through disaster prevention speakers and emergency alert radios at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 6/17.
(We mistakenly wrote Wednesday, June 18. We apologize<m(__)m>)
They will also be holding something called a ShakeOut drill.
【June 17】ShakeOut Drill to Be Held｜Nishinomiya City Website
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What is a ShakeOut drill?
There was one around the same time last year too. We also wrote an article about it.
Just in case, here’s a quick explanation of what a ShakeOut drill is.
(The following is almost copied and pasted from last year’s article)
A ShakeOut drill means taking three actions to protect yourself from earthquake shaking.
1. Crouch down (DROP in English)
First, crouch down.
2. Protect your head / take cover (COVER in English)
3. Stay there (HOLD ON in English)
It’s about being prepared to act.
An earthquake disaster prevention drill that began in the United States
ShakeOut is apparently an earthquake disaster prevention drill that began in the United States in 2008.
Believe it or not, Nishinomiya City was the first in Kansai to introduce ShakeOut drills. (Started on January 27, 2013).
By the way, “ShakeOut” is apparently a coined term meaning “shake off the earthquake.”
Overview of the 6/17 (Wed) drill
This drill will be held in preparation for a possible massive Nankai Trough earthquake.
Purpose of the Drill
“Think for yourself and take action on how to evacuate to protect your life!”Date and Time
Wednesday, June 17, 2020, 10:00 a.m.Information Transmission
Step (1) 10:00 a.m.: “Carry out ShakeOut and learn safe actions”Disaster prevention speakers: 146 locations across the city (entire area)
Emergency alert radios: Within the Sakura FM listening area
Nishinomiya Disaster Prevention Net: Registered recipients of emergency information
Nishinomiya City Hall Twitter and Facebook
It will end in about 10 minutes from 10:00 a.m.
A training broadcast will be played through disaster prevention speakers, emergency alert radios, and other channels.
10:00 a.m. Earthquake Early Warning: Citywide
A chime will sound before and after as the signal for the drill.
That slightly scary Earthquake Early Warning chime will play three times.
At this time, please practice the three ShakeOut steps on your own.
10:02 a.m. Major Tsunami Warning: Citywide
As before, a chime will sound before and after as the signal for the drill.
The unfamiliar Major Tsunami Warning siren will play three times.
This is apparently a drill to help people think, “A tsunami might be coming!” if slow, strong shaking continues for more than one minute.
Sounds of the Earthquake Early Warning and Major Tsunami Warning
You may already be used to hearing the Earthquake Early Warning.
But I don’t think many people have heard the Major Tsunami Warning, so it might be a good idea to listen to it in advance.
Disaster prevention speakers can be hard to hear
As the weather gets warmer, people will start using air conditioners, so if your windows are closed, it may become harder to hear the disaster prevention speakers.
If you can’t hear the crucial disaster prevention speakers during a major earthquake someday, your response could be delayed, which may become life-threatening.
Our recommendation is an emergency alert radio.
It costs 2,200 yen including tax. It used to have a regular price of 8,640 yen!
They are also sold at several Joshin stores in Nishinomiya City.
For other sales locations and more detailed information, please see About “Emergency Alert Radios”｜Nishinomiya City Website.
One per household. If you live in a two-story house, having two might give you extra peace of mind. If you’re wondering, “What is an emergency alert radio like?” we wrote about it here.
Lastly
Drills like this are also scheduled for October 7, November 5, and February 17 next year. Even though it’s just a drill, it might still be bad for the heart if the alert suddenly goes off without any warning, so Nishitsu will continue writing advance articles about them.
