Fort A.P. Hill is gearing up for the Great SouthEast Earthquake Drill Oct. 18. The workforce practiced Drop, Cover and Hold on Oct. 11. In preparation for the regional drill to include participants from Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, North Caroline and South Carolina, and Georgia.

The date of the drill marks the anniversary of the earthquake in Mineral, Va. that measured at a 5.8 magnitude.

Emergency management and preparedness experts agree that DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON is the safe response to reduce injuries and deaths during earthquakes in the U.S. DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you), take COVER under a sturdy desk or table, protecting your head and neck, HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.