King County will conduct a test of KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system, on Thursday, Oct. 17 between 9 and 10 a.m. as part of the annual Great Washington ShakeOut drill to test earthquake preparedness.

KCInform is used to notify County employees of emergency situations, infrastructure disruptions, facility closures, changes in department business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email address are already in the KCInform system. However, please register your County provided cell phone (if applicable) and personal cell phone and email address to ensure you don’t miss important, time-sensitive messages. The service is free and your personal contact information is secure and protected.

If you are not currently registered with KCInform, please contact kcinform@kingcounty.gov to request your unique registration link. Visit the KCInform website and watch this short video to learn more.

And remember, at 10:17 a.m. on Oct. 17, Drop, Cover, and Hold On as if there were a major earthquake occurring at that very moment, and stay in this position for at least 60 seconds as part of the Great Washington ShakeOut drill.

Other preparedness steps you can take right now include:

1. Create an Emergency Plan: Discuss with your family how you’ll stay in touch and what steps to take if evacuation becomes necessary, especially if you spend time in or near a tsunami area.
2. Build an Emergency Kit: Stock up on two weeks of essential supplies so you’re ready for any situation that arises.
3. Stay informed: Sign up for regional emergency alerts by visiting gov/Alert.