Great B.C. Shake Out set for this Thursday, October 15 at 10:15 a.m.

Sea to Sky communities get set to establish closer collaboration on earthquake preparedness 

October 15, 2015 is Shake Out Day in B.C., when thousands of citizens across the province will Drop, Cover and Hold On at precisely 10:15 a.m. Aimed at raising awareness about how to prepare to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes, the drill currently has over 750,000 registered participants across B.C.

The District of Squamish joins its Sea to Sky Corridor neighbours in this vital exercise for a major earthquake affecting British Columbia. Mountain FM will broadcast an audio simulation of an earthquake at 10:15 a.m.

"I hope to see Squamish participate fully and really learn from this exercise in order to be prepared for a real situation,” says Mayor Patricia Heintzman. “District employees are participating across all municipal buildings, and the schools are teaching our children these drills. We encourage residents and organizations to do the same. The District will do all that we can on behalf of the community in the event of an emergency, but we must each take responsibility for ourselves in the first 72 hours, and be equipped with the tools and knowledge we’ll individually need to survive.”

In July, Emergency Management BC released the B.C. Earthquake Immediate Response Plan (BCEIRP), focusing on two major earthquake models – a major quake focused on Vancouver, and one focused on Victoria. The BCEIRP designates the Sea to Sky Corridor as an essential transit corridor for earthquake relief and recovery supplies destined for the Lower Mainland, with the Port of Squamish as a key logistics depot.

Over the next year, the District of Squamish Emergency Program will work collaboratively with neighbouring emergency programs in the Corridor on education and outreach. Shared materials will be developed to educate and inform Sea to Sky residents about the threats posed to this region from earthquakes, how to prepare, what sort of damage is likely in Corridor communities, and how the region may be called on to support more seriously affected areas.

Get prepared. Sign up for the earthquake drill today. For more information and to register for the Great B.C. Shake Out, visit www.shakeoutbc.ca.

The District of Squamish Emergency Program is responsible for coordinating procedures to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from large-scale emergencies. Emergency Program staff work in partnership with local first response agencies and District departments to develop and implement plans and programs to protect the community during disasters. 

Visit the District of Squamish Emergency Program web page to learn how to be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least three days following a major emergency, such as an earthquake or flood.

October 14, 2015