Great British Columbia ShakeOut - Oct. 20 at 10:20 a.m.
Coquitlam is encouraging residents, schools and businesses to join in the Great British Columbia ShakeOut – the largest earthquake drill in B.C. – on Oct. 20 at 10:20 a.m.
Organized by the BC Earthquake Alliance Society, ShakeOut BC provides you with opportunities to practice the "Drop, Cover and Hold On" earthquake protocol and to help prepare for an earthquake at home, school, office, or on the road.
Each year approximately 4,000 earthquakes are recorded in Canada, many in the seismically active region around B.C. Most register as a small magnitude but at least nine earthquakes over the past century in or near Canada have registered a magnitude of seven or more.
In general, people who are prepared for a major disaster will suffer fewer injuries and less property damage, and will be better equipped to care for themselves afterwards as authorities work to restore services
How to Participate
Visit www.shakeoutbc.ca to register as a participant and download resources (including sound effects to play during the drill and emergency preparation information).
At 10:20 a.m. on Oct. 20, practice the “Drop, Cover and Hold On’ protocol:
- Drop to the ground,
- Take cover by getting under a desk/table (or cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building), and
- Hold on for 60 seconds. During this time, look around and imagine what would happen during an earthquake. What could fall down on you or be damaged? Make note of tasks to conduct after the drill, (e.g. anchor large furniture pieces).
- After the drill, practice what you will do after the shaking stops.