Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms participates in 2026 Great California ShakeOut

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms joined millions of participants across California on Oct. 15 for the 2026 Great California ShakeOut, an annual earthquake preparedness exercise designed to reinforce emergency response procedures and strengthen readiness in one of the nation's most seismically active regions.

The Great California ShakeOut is an annual statewide earthquake preparedness drill that encourages individuals, organizations and communities to practice protective actions during an earthquake. Participants rehearse the recommended "Drop, Cover and Hold On" procedure, which involves dropping to the ground, taking cover beneath sturdy furniture and holding on until the shaking stops.

For Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, the annual exercise provides an opportunity to evaluate emergency preparedness, reinforce staff responsibilities and ensure the military treatment facility can continue delivering essential healthcare services following a major seismic event.

"We do not get to hit pause on military medicine just because the tectonic plates decide to shift," said Rich Osborne, Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms emergency management specialist and emergency program manager. "For Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, participating in the ShakeOut is about keeping our doors open and our staff capable of treating casualties when chaos hits."

Located in Southern California's Mojave Desert, Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms faces significant earthquake risks associated with the region's extensive network of active faults, including the San Andreas Fault. The area's seismic activity makes preparedness particularly important for healthcare facilities responsible for providing medical care during emergencies.

Osborne said the region's geological conditions even influenced the hospital's original construction plans. "In fact, back in the 1980s, we discovered an active fault line right under the hospital's originally planned footprint, which forced us to move the entire project and redesign it from scratch," Osborne said.

The hospital incorporates specialized seismic protection systems, including fluid viscous dampers designed to absorb energy generated by earthquakes and reduce structural movement. These engineering features help protect the facility, but Osborne emphasized that maintaining operational readiness also depends on the preparedness of its personnel.

"If a major quake strikes, we need our staff's instincts to be just as reliable and resilient as the building's shock absorbers," Osborne said.

Participation in the ShakeOut involves personnel throughout the hospital, with departments practicing responsibilities associated with earthquake response and continuity of operations. Clinical staff focus on patient safety and preparations for potential mass-casualty situations, while facilities personnel rehearse procedures involving emergency power and critical infrastructure.

The hospital also coordinates its emergency preparedness activities with Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, reinforcing cooperation among military medical personnel, installation leadership and emergency response organizations.

"From the clinicians securing patients and prepping for mass-casualty triage, to the facilities crew simulating emergency power overrides, every department has a job," Osborne said. "We coordinate directly with base fire, PMO (Provost Marshal’s Office), and installation command because when the desert starts rolling, a unified front is the only way we keep the base standing."

Beyond strengthening the hospital's emergency response capabilities, the annual exercise serves as a reminder of the importance of individual and family preparedness.

During an earthquake, emergency management officials recommend remaining indoors if already inside, avoiding windows and exterior walls, and taking cover beneath sturdy furniture when possible. Individuals should remain in their protective positions until the shaking stops rather than attempting to run outside, where falling debris can pose additional hazards.

Osborne also encouraged families to maintain emergency supplies and develop plans for situations in which utilities, transportation and emergency services may be disrupted.

"The public needs to remember three simple words: Drop, Cover, and Hold On," Osborne said. "Finally, do not assume emergency services will be at your doorstep in five minutes; families need to have a 72-hour emergency kit packed and ready."

Through its continued participation in the Great California ShakeOut, Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms reinforces a culture of preparedness while strengthening its ability to protect patients, personnel and critical healthcare operations during natural disasters.

Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Twentynine Palms operates Defense Health Agency military treatment facility Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, which delivers safe, high-quality healthcare to service members and their families. The command supports the health and readiness of warfighters at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, the Marine Corps' largest live-fire training installation, while readying Navy Medicine personnel to provide expeditionary medical support around the world.

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