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MCI, rescue drills set for annual earthquake drill in Calif.

Scores of people will dive under their desks or tables to practice the “drop, cover and hold” technique for surviving a major quake

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Californians have taken refuge under desks and tables in a statewide earthquake survival drill.

The “Great California Shakeout” simulated an earthquake at 10:21 a.m. Thursday, sending participants diving to the floor to practice the “drop, cover and hold” technique.

Organizers say 7.8 million people signed up for the drill, which this year expanded to include some residents of Nevada and Guam.

The drill includes practice responses by fire departments and other agencies. In the San Francisco region, sirens are sounding and all Bay Area Rapid Transit trains were expected to stop for one minute.