Earthquake Preparedness

Great British Columbia ShakeOut - October 16 at 10:16 a.m.

Coquitlam is encouraging residents, schools and businesses to join in the Great British Columbia ShakeOut – the largest earthquake drill in B.C. 

Organized by the BC Earthquake Alliance Society, ShakeOut BC provides you with opportunities to practice the 'Drop (lock), Cover and Hold On' earthquake protocol, and to help prepare for an earthquake at home, school, office, or on the road.

Each year approximately 3,000 earthquakes are recorded inBritish Columbia. 

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 10:16 a.m. on October 16, practice the 'Drop (lock), Cover and Hold On’ protocol:

  • Drop to the ground or lock your walker/wheelchair in place. 
  • Cover your head and neck with your arm and, if possible, take shelter under a sturdy desk or table. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, drop to the ground in an inside corner of the building and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room just to get under a table.
  • Hold on to your shelter, covering your head and neck until the shaking stops.
    • Count to 60 before getting up – this gives loose objects time to settle.
  • After the drill, practice what you will do after the shaking stops.

Each year, thousands of earthquakes are recorded in British Columbia, most of them so small that we can’t feel them. However, earthquakes strong enough to cause damage can happen and it is important to be prepared. This page contains information regarding what to do before, during and after an Earthquake. 

Before an Earthquake

  • Create a Home Emergency Plan outlining how you and the people and pets that you live with will respond during an emergency. 
  • Maintain an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, pet supplies, medications, flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit to last at least 72 hours.
  • Do a 'hazard hunt' in your home, workplace or classroom for items that might fall during earthquakes, and secure them.
    • Example hazards include:  pictures, mirrors, appliances, TVs, bookcases, water heaters, ceiling fans, etc.
  • Learn how to turn off your utilities like water, gas and electricity.

During an Earthquake

  • Drop (lock), cover and hold on.
    • Drop to the floor or lock your walker/wheelchair in place. 
  • Cover your head and neck with your arm and, if possible, take shelter under a sturdy desk or table. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, drop to the ground in an inside corner of the building and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room just to get under a table.
  • Hold on to your shelter, covering your head and neck until the shaking stops. 
    • Count to 60 before getting up - this gives loose objects time to settle.

After an Earthquake

  • Check yourself and others for injuries and apply first aid if needed - don’t attempt to move seriously injured people. 
  • Assess your location for hazards such as:
    • Obvious structural damage
    • Fires
    • Gas leaks
    • Exposed/arcing electrical components/wires
    • Leaking sewage
    • Broken water pipes
    • Dangling fixtures/furnishings
    • Downed power lines
  • Follow your home emergency plan. 
  • Monitor emergency media for important information updates.
  • Try to stay off of your phone in order to prevent telephone network overload. 
  • Only call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies.
  • Conserve water, electricity and fuel as much as possible. 

Additional Resources

Prepared BC is the Provincial Government's program that provides resources and information to help British Columbia residents and organizations prepare for and recover from emergencies. 

Below are some useful guides:

ShakeOut BC – The GreatBC ShakeOut is the major event hosted by the BC Earthquake Alliance. The ShakeOutBC organizing committee is made up of national, provincial and local government agencies, businesses and organizations.  Additional earthquake preparedness and annual drill information is available on their website.