The Great California ShakeOut began in 2008 as an annual occurrence for people in homes, schools and organizations to to practice what to do during earthquakes, and to overall improve preparedness.

Once the drill commenced at Huntington Beach High School, students were instructed to get under their desks to practice the "drop, cover and hold on" technique. Quickly following, students and staff grabbed their classroom identification posts and emergency preparedness bags to head to the school's open field. The campus was then swept for any remaining individuals and given the "all clear."

Additionally, the district tested a newly adopted high-powered radio system that allows for wide-range communication in the event of a disaster that would knock out phone lines and other channels of contact used today.