Hundreds of thousands of people across B.C. will be participating in this year's Great British Columbia ShakeOut earthquake drill on Thursday (Oct. 16) at 10:16 a.m.
Earthquakes are one of the biggest natural disaster threats to B.C. More than half of Canada's 10 largest earthquakes have occurred along the B.C. coast, according to Natural Resources Canada.
Since its start in 2011, ShakeOut BC has become the province's largest earthquake drill. The annual campaign takes place every October with hundreds of thousands of participants practicing the "Drop, Cover and Hold On" response.
Participation is open to everyone, and ShakeOut BC encourages registration for anyone wanting to strengthen their emergency response. The free registration gives access to resources and tips that can help everyone, from individuals to community groups, plan their own emergency plans.
The president of the BC Earthquake Alliance Society, Naomi Yamamoto, stressed the importance of being proactive when it comes to earthquake safety.
"Earthquakes strike without warning," she said. "Being ready is the strongest defence."
Preparing for an emergency doesn't need to be an overwhelming process. Some of the most effective steps for earthquake preparedness are also the simplest, such as:
• Building an emergency kit with basic supplies like food and water
• Identifying potential hazards and securing your furniture
• Making sure your family knows the emergency evacuation route
• Participating in drills like ShakeOut BC to practice your earthquake response
Even if it isn't possible to fully mitigate a potential disaster, every little bit of preparation can make a world of difference when the unexpected happens.
The province's Early Earthquake Warning system, introduced in August 2024, sends out earthquake alerts to cellphones, radio and media moments before the quakes start.
While a few seconds might not sound like much, they can make all the difference in an actual disaster. Just five seconds can be enough time for workers to step back from dangerous equipment, for drivers to pull over or for a classroom of students to duck under their desks.
Some residents expressed concerns about the Early Earthquake Warning earlier this year, when the system sent out delayed or missing alerts in response to the Feb. 21 earthquake on Sunshine Coast.
The early warning system was still fairly new, and the government responded to concerns with promises to investigate the inconsistency.
The theme ShakeOut BC has announced for this year is: "If you are prepared for earthquakes, you are prepared for nearly anything."
For more information on earthquake preparedness or to register to participate in ShakeOut BC, visit www.shakeoutbc.ca/.
Sally Ji is a Kwantlen Polytechnic University practicum student working with Black Press Media.
