Given the frigid and dangerous temperatures expected in the coming days, the Maine Department of Education is sharing information from the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) on Warming Centers and other resources for families and communities.

Warming and Charging Centers operated by local municipalities could open in communities across Maine. Visit MEMA’s website to find a location in or near your community. You may also dial 2-1-1 or visit their website for a list of locations.

Click here for additional resources and information from MEMA on how to prepare for the extreme temperatures and safety tips, including information on preventing and dealing with frozen water pipes.

Families are encouraged to stay tuned to alerts and warnings through media or by downloading the free FEMA app on their smart phone, which provides targeted preparedness information, alerts, and warnings for specific areas. For more information on preparedness, visit and follow MEMA on Facebook or Twitter.

All hazards planning includes practicing for an earthquake (even here in Maine!), and being prepared for the possibility of an earthquake should be part of every school’s Emergency Operations Procedure (EOP).

National resource, Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills provides schools, school districts, institutions of higher education, and entire communities an opportunity to practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On; enhance their preparedness capacity for earthquakes; and identify strengths and weaknesses in their emergency operations plan (EOP).

You are invited to participate on any date, at any time, and in any setting, including virtually. Join the REMS TA Center, Southern California Earthquake Center, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, National Science Foundation, and many other partners around the country in this annual event.

1. Register
2. Spread the word
3. Host your drill

Last year, more than 10 million people participated from K-12 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities.

Use the following resources from the REMS TA Center and Southern California Earthquake Center to help you plan your drill:

• K-12 Schools Drill Planning, Educational, and Preparedness Resources
• College Registration Guidelines and Participation Resources
• Presentations for leading ShakeOut Drills (Online or In-Person)
• Preparedness Activities for Before, During, and After the ShakeOut
• Earthquake Exercises for Schools Podcast and Transcript
• Modifying Education Agency Exercises and Drills in Response to the Pandemic: Protecting Students, Faculty, Staff, and the Whole School Community While Practicing Plans Fact Sheet
• School EOP Planning 101: Modifying Exercises and Drills in Response to the Pandemic Webinar

Consider how your planning team can review, revise, and enhance your Earthquake Annex after the ShakeOut and throughout the year.

Additional Earthquake Annex development resources are listed below.

• Sample Earthquake Annex
• Integrating Earthquakes Into School Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) Webinar
• Resources on Earthquakes and Other Natural Hazards

For more Emergency Preparedness resources and planning for Maine schools, reach out to the Maine School Safety Center.