Great BC ShakeOut Earthquake Drill – The Largest Earthquake Drill in the World

Press Releases

Be part of the largest earthquake drill in the world this month

Sechelt, BC – October 5, 2015 – The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is participating in the Great BC ShakeOut Earthquake Drill on Thursday, October 15 at 10:15 a.m. The drill is intended to enhance public awareness of the earthquake hazard in BC and to encourage personal preparedness.

The SCRD would like all residents, businesses, agencies and associations to participate. According to the ShakeOutBC website, 23.1 million people have registered for 2015 ShakeOut earthquake drills worldwide, with over 610,000 people registered in British Columbia to date. Schools, families, office staff or individuals can participate by using the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” method:

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 (approximately two minutes)

“By preparing for an earthquake you also prepare yourself and your loved ones for other natural and man-made disasters,” says Bill Elsner, SCRD Emergency Program Coordinator.

Natural Resources Canada (NRC) has identified BC as being located in one of the most seismically-active regions in the country. The NRC advises that the threat of a major earthquake is real, and that in other parts of the world an increased awareness about what to do during an earthquake had been proven to reduce injuries and deaths.

“Earthquakes occur without any warning and the SCRD encourages all residents to take the time to be prepared and have a plan” says Elsner.

Free Emergency Preparedness Information Sessions are taking place on October 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Community Meeting Room on the first floor of the Sechelt Public Library Building, October 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Gibsons Public Library, and on November 26 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Madeira Park Community Hall.

For more information, visit www.scrd.ca/Emergency-Program

For more information:
Bill Elsner, Emergency Program Coordinator

Sunshine Coast Regional District
Tel.: 604-885-6800
Email: bill.elsner@scrd.ca

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