Organizers say about 700,000 people registered to participate in an earthquake drill in Canada’s Pacific coast province of British Columbia on Thursday (October 16). The Great British Columbia ShakeOut had people practising “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in businesses, schools, offices, homes and outdoors.
The organizers say the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” protocol protects lives during earthquakes:
- DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
- Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
- HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
“ShakeOut BC is an opportunity for us to practice the ‘Drop, Cover, Hold On’ method of protecting ourselves during an earthquake. Knowing and practicing to survive the first few minutes of an earthquake reminds us that it’s just as important to prepare for survival when the shaking stops. Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility that begins in the homes of every British Columbian and our first line of defense is to have an emergency kit and plan to survive for at least 72 hours.” said Richard T. Lee, a Member of the Legislative Assembly of the province in a statement released by the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
More information:
CBC News – ShakeOut earthquake drill readies B.C. for the big one – here
Insurance Bureau of Canada press release – Over 730,000 participate in the Great British Columbia ShakeOut – The largest earthquake drill in Canadian history! – here
Great British Columbia ShakeOut website – www.shakeoutbc.ca
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