Fire officials in Clayton and Richmond Heights weighed in this week about how their cities have prepared for earthquakes. Meanwhile, thousands of students and medical workers in Missouri participated Thursday in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, an emergency preparedness drill held in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of the New Madrid fault earthquakes.

The Richmond Heights earthquake plan pertains primarily to city employees and buildings, Chief Kerry Hogan of the city's fire department stated in an email.

"Our disaster plan for the city would work in conjunction with the St. Louis County disaster plan," he stated.

Clayton has a comprehensive disaster plan that addresses earthquakes, Chief Mark Thorp of the city's fire department stated in an email. The plan is meant to be flexible so that emergency personnel can evaluate each situation to determine the appropriate response.

"We stress that the community/citizens needs to be ready for all hazards by having a family disaster kit and a family plan," Thorp stated. The fire department encourages their participation in the following ways:

• Red Cross Ready Rating Program

• Federal Emergency Management Agency readiness sites

• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' Ready in 3 programs

The Hazelwood School District was among those to participate in Thursday's drill. The School District of Clayton and the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District did not participate.