When the clock strikes 10:18 a.m. this Thursday, Oct. 18, hundreds of thousands of British Columbians will practice what to do in the event of an earthquake.
According to Oak Bay Fire Chief Dave Cockle, whoB次元官网网址檚 also the B.C. Earthquake AllianceB次元官网网址檚 president and chair, more than 730,000 British Columbians have already registered to take part in the annual Great British Columbia ShakeOut.
And with thousands of residents still registering every day, Cockle expects over 900,000 people to take part in the B.C.-wide, one-and-a-half-minute drill.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 love to see it get to a million [people] because thatB次元官网网址檚 a quarter of the B.C. population,B次元官网网址� said Cockle.
B次元官网网址淭his event is important because, as beautiful as the area that we live in is, the area has earthquake risk, and the best practice in the event of an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on,B次元官网网址� he continued. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about knowing what to do immediately in the time that it happens, and then move forward.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淪hake out, donB次元官网网址檛 freak out,B次元官网网址� he added.
According to the B.C. Earthquake Alliance (BCEA), which has been organizing the ShakeOut drill since January 2010, official rescue teams that have been dispatched to the scene of earthquakes and other disasters around the world continue to advocate use of the internationally recognized B次元官网网址渄rop, cover and hold onB次元官网网址� protocol.
As the name suggests, it involves dropping to the ground, taking cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and holding on to it until the shaking stops.
If there isnB次元官网网址檛 a table or desk near you, the BCEA advises you to 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.
Individuals and businesses interested in taking part in the drill are encouraged to register online at , where more information, videos and resources on how to be better prepared for an earthquake can be found.
A table with information on earthquake preparedness has also been set up at the Oak Bay Municipal Hall.
Like us on and follow us on
