Drop to the ground, cover your neck and head, hold on to something sturdy until shaking stops.
Save the Date: ShakeOut 10/16/25
News
Building Emergency Teams
Global Pandemic, Hybrid Work, and Other Challenges
Building Emergency Teams, or BETs, have been a tremendous asset to the safety and emergency preparedness of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
However, the global COVID-19 pandemic brought a lot of unprecedented challenges to our Laboratory. Previously buildings may have had a BET Lead and BET members to help guide people to evacuate in an emergency; but now those people might be working remotely or on a hybrid schedule (or out sick for extended periods). Some buildings did not have any BET volunteers.
As The Way we Work has brought great benefits to business continuity and made the Lab more accessible, it has also introduced challenges in relying on an in-person institutional knowledge for critical safety roles.
Progress We’ve Made
In November 2021, Security & Emergency Services Division stood up the Critical Incident Management Group (CIMG). The CIMG is a trained and qualified incident management team using National Incident Management System standards. Led by an Incident Commander with overall authority, the CIMG is on call 24/7 to respond to incidents, emergencies, continuity events, and some planned events at the Lab. The formation of this team was one big step forward in safely managing incidents at the Laboratory.
We have also integrated mass notification (LabAlert) to issue protective actions (evacuate, shelter-in-place, or lockdown) and conduct personnel accountability, and drill this capability at least quarterly.
The Way Forward
In December of 2023, the Emergency Management team held Town Halls to discuss our path forward and the
decommissioning of BETs. The BET concept is being evolved into the Community Preparedness Framework (CPF), and the term BET is being removed from SES related training, policy and plans.
Now, we want to reinforce that all site workers will be accountable for understanding and following protective actions issued by the CIMG. All personnel should:
- Report issues to the SOC and emergencies to 911. The SOC is in direct contact with the CIMG Incident Commander, so this ensures that the CIMG is notified and activated when necessary. See notify.lbl.gov for more information.
- Ensure your LabAlert profile is updated and includes personal contact information. You can review and update your profile at go.lbl.gov/labalert, and also change the order that LabAlert contacts you (i.e. personal text first).
- Follow alarms, LabAlerts, and other directions from first responders. Always evacuate for a fire alarm. Go to the nearest, safest Evacuation Assembly Area (EAA) until a first responder okays the building for reentry.
We are also working on the following for FY25: updating evacuation assembly areas, site online emergency training, and the emergency guide.
If you have any questions about emergency preparedness or CPF, please email emergencymanagement@lbl.gov or join our monthly Open Office Hours.
Get Ready for 10/19 at 10:19
Make a short investment in your safety on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 10:19 a.m. The Lab is participating in the annual earthquake drill with millions of people around the world practicing earthquake safety on the same day.
Lab locations and many of our homes are near earthquake faults. There may be only seconds to prepare, so practice with your colleagues and millions of others. Anyone who checks in at the Emergency Assembly Area will be entered in a random drawing for one of three go bags to help you prepare for an emergency. Everyone who is working at an offsite building will be eligible for the drawing as well.
What:
- The Lab is participating in an international earthquake drill called the Great ShakeOut.
- At the start of the drill, a LabAlert message will be sent instructing everyone to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
- After a minute or two, a second LabAlert message will instruct those at a Lab site to evacuate to their Emergency Assembly Area (EAA). There will be a QR code on the EAA sign to use to check in. Please use your phone, or borrow someone’s phone, to complete the check-in.
- Some buildings, including buildings 2, 46, 50, 50A, 50B, 59, 62, 66, 67, 70, 70A, 71, 77, 88, 90 and 91, should evacuate at the sound of fire alarms.
- You should always take essential personal items with them when you evacuate (phone, wallet, keys, badge, etc.).
- You should respond to both of the LabAlert notifications and check-in at the EAA (volunteers will provide the check-in survey).
- To find your EAA ahead of time, look for the emergency evacuation poster near building exits or select the “Emergency Assembly Area” layer at map.lbl.gov.
Who:
- All those working onsite are expected to participate, unless exempted (please email emergencymanagement@lbl.gov with questions). Those at offsite locations will take part in the drop, cover, and hold, but will not evacuate their building. ALS (Buildings 6, 15, and 80) will conduct their drill on 10/17.
- Those working from home are encouraged to participate and use this time to review their home emergency preparedness plan.
- Volunteers will help direct people to their EAA location and provide the check-in survey
- The drill is managed by the Lab’s Emergency Management group.
When and Where:
- Thursday, Oct. 19 from 10:19 a.m. until approximately 10:35 a.m.
- All occupied buildings at all Lab locations (hill and offsite), except on the UC Berkeley campus.
Why:
- Familiarize everyone with emergency procedures
- Meet regulatory requirements for annual evacuations and fire alarm drill
- Meet DOE requirements to perform a quarterly personnel accountability drill
Communications:
- Drill point-of-contact: emergencymanagement@lbl.gov
- Lab employees will be notified of the drill through an email and articles in Elements prior to October 19.
- Drill details have been communicated to Building Emergency Teams (BET), Building Managers, Division Safety Coordinators, and the Readiness & Resiliency Working Group (R2WG).
- Drill announcements with protective actions/measures will be made through LabAlert, the Lab Public Address System, and BET radios.
Feel free to take photos of you participating in the Drop, Cover, and Hold On or evacuation portions of the drill and post to social media using the tag #LBNLShakeOut2023.
The Lab is Getting Ready to ShakeOut on 10/20 at 10:20
Make a 30-minute investment in your safety on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 10:20 a.m. The Lab is participating in the annual earthquake drill that started in California and is now international, with millions of people around the world practicing earthquake safety on Oct. 20.
Lab locations and most of our homes are near earthquake faults. There may be only seconds to prepare, so practice with your colleagues and millions of others.
What:
- The Lab is participating in an international earthquake drill called the Great ShakeOut.
- At the start of the drill, personnel will be instructed to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
- After a minute or two, personnel will be instructed to evacuate to their Emergency Assembly Area
- (EAA).
- Personnel should always take essential personal items with them when they evacuate (phone, keys, badge, etc.).
- Personnel should both respond to the LabAlert notifications and check-in at their EAA (volunteers will provide the check-in survey).
- To review your EAA ahead of time, look for the emergency evacuation poster near building exits or select the “Emergency Assembly Area” layer at map.lbl.gov.
Who:
- All personnel working onsite are expected to participate, unless exempted (please email emergencymanagement@lbl.gov with questions). ALS has been exempted.
- Personnel working from home are encouraged to participate, and review their home emergency preparedness plan.
- Volunteers will help direct people to their EAA and provide the check-in survey
- The drill is managed by the Lab’s Emergency Management group.
When and Where:
- Thursday, Oct. 20 from 10:20 a.m. until approximately 10:50 a.m.
- All occupied buildings at all Lab locations (hill and offsite), except on the UC Berkeley campus.
Why:
- Make a 30-minute investment in your safety
- Familiarize Lab personnel with emergency procedures
- Meet regulatory requirements for annual evacuations
- Meet DOE requirements to perform a quarterly personnel accountability drill
Communications:
- Drill point-of-contact: emergencymanagement@lbl.gov
- Lab employees will be notified of the drill through an email and articles in Elements prior to October 20.
- Drill details have been communicated to Building Emergency Teams (BET), Building Managers, Division Safety Coordinators, and the Readiness & Resiliency Working Group (R2WG).
- Drill announcements with protective actions/measures will be made through LabAlert, the Lab Public Address System, and BET radios.
Please take photos of your Drop, Cover, and Hold On (or evacuation) and post to social media using tag #LBNLShakeOut2022. Recognition will be given to select participants!
Personnel Accountability Drill February 10 Only for those at Lab Hill Site
On Thursday, February 10 at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Lab’s Emergency Management Department will be testing the LabAlert system by sending cascading alerts to all Lab employees, affiliates, and contractors who have accessed the Lab’s hill site that morning. This drill is targeting only those who have badged in so Emergency Management can test different systems, as well as the ability to target recipients. Those who have badged in to other Lab sites in Berkeley and Emeryville, and those who are teleworking, will not be part of this drill.
If you are at the Lab’s hill site on February 10 and receive a LabAlert message, please respond with your status. The cascading alert starts by sending an email, then a text message to registered mobile devices, then a phone call. You will only need to respond to one of the messages, but it is critical that you do so. The notifications will continue until you respond.
This drill is part of the Department of Energy’s continuity of operations efforts. Participation in this drill will help keep you and your colleagues safe during an emergency.
The best way to receive emergency information is by enrolling your cell phone in the LabAlert system. LabAlert will be used during and after emergencies to broadcast safety information and instructions. If you have not registered your cell phone, please do so today. If you do not have a Lab-issued cell phone, please consider adding your personal cell phone to ensure you receive emergency messages when you are away from your desk. It is also a recommended best practice to create a contact for LabAlert (510-486-6288) in your cell phone, and make it a “Favorite” (this will ensure that messages get through).
LabAlert messages can also:
- Expedite search and rescue efforts
- Reduce the risk to first responders by minimizing unnecessary rescue efforts.
- Begin communication with people on travel in areas experiencing emergencies.
- Reach mission critical personnel
Personnel Accountability Drill October 14 Only for those at Lab Hill Site
On Thursday, October 14 at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Lab’s Emergency Management Department will be testing the LabAlert system by sending cascading alerts to all Lab employees, affiliates, and contractors who have accessed the Lab’s hill site that morning. This drill is targeting only those who have badged in so Emergency Management can test different systems, as well as the ability to target recipients. Those who have badged in to other Lab sites in Berkeley and Emeryville, and those who are teleworking, will not be part of this drill.
If you are at the Lab’s hill site on October 14 and receive a LabAlert message, please respond with your status and location. The cascading alert starts by sending an email, then a text message to registered mobile devices, then a phone call. You will only need to respond to one of the messages, but it is critical that you do so. The notifications will continue until you respond.
This drill is part of the Department of Energy’s continuity of operations efforts. Participation in this drill will help keep you and your colleagues safe during an emergency.
The best way to receive emergency information is by enrolling your cell phone in the LabAlert system. LabAlert will be used during and after emergencies to broadcast safety information and instructions. If you have not registered your cell phone, please do so today. If you do not have a Lab-issued cell phone, please consider adding your personal cell phone to ensure you receive emergency messages when you are away from your desk. It is also a recommended best practice to create a contact for LabAlert (510-486-6288) in your cell phone, and make it a “Favorite” (this will ensure that messages get through).
LabAlert messages can also:
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