Media Advisory - The Great British Columbia ShakeOut coming soon!

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 12, 2023 /CNW/ - Next Thursday, October 19, be part of Canada's largest earthquake drill during the 12th Annual Great British Columbia ShakeOut (ShakeOutBC).

?ELSET Elementary School in North Saanich will kindly be hosting this year's media event. 

ShakeOutBC, a BC Earthquake Alliance (BCEA) event, is an opportunity to practise how to be safer when an earthquake strikes. By practising the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" response, we create muscle memory that helps us react quickly and get to a safe space during an earthquake. While specific earthquake hazards depend on your location, BC is at high risk of earthquake damage in relation to the rest of Canada.

Members of the media are invited to join representatives from the ShakeOutBC Planning Committee, BCEA and Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in person or virtually. 

This year's theme is Earthquake Early Warning (EEW), as the national EEW system is nearing completion and will be ready to send alerts to the public (via the National Public Alerting System) and directly to critical infrastructure operators and other facilities. The EEW system provides valuable seconds to tens-of-seconds notice of strong shaking so that people and systems can take protective actions. In general, people should "Drop, Cover, and Hold On." Automated systems can be triggered to open doors, close valves, sound alarms, stop trains, etc.

Information booths at the media event will be hosted by ShakeOutBC, Natural Resources Canada (earthquakes, EEW & School Shake), BC Hydro and Fortis BC.

You can practice your ShakeOut earthquake drill at home, work, school or even through a video conference with your friends and colleagues. Sign up today and encourage your family, friends and colleagues to do the same at www.ShakeOutBC.ca. Participants will also be sent valuable earthquake drill resources.

Honourable Bowinn Ma, BC Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness 
"We know British Columbia is prone to seismic activity and that's why it's so important that governments, emergency management partners, and people are prepared. Earlier this year, the Province put its provincial earthquake response plan to the test by conducting a large-scale training exercise, responding to a simulated earthquake in the Lower Mainland. We're also working with the federal government on Canada's Earthquake Early Warning system, which is set to launch in 2024. I encourage everyone to practice how to Drop, Cover and Hold-On by joining ShakeOutBC on October 19."

Naomi Yamamoto, President, BC Earthquake Alliance
"BCEA is excited to host our 12th annual earthquake drill. We are pleased to celebrate the champions of earthquake preparedness in our province, including all registrants, sponsors and partner organizations. With thousands of British Columbians already registered for this year's event, we look forward to the largest earthquake drill yet!"

Aaron Sutherland, Vice-President, Pacific & Western, IBC
"Insurance Bureau Canada is a proud sponsor of ShakeOutBC. In our business, we know from real-life experience the importance of being prepared. With a 30% chance of a strong, damaging earthquake striking southwestern British Columbia within the next 50 years, being able to respond quickly ? and being well prepared ? will go a long way in reducing the devastating impact of an earthquake. We encourage all British Columbians to join us, in person or virtually, for the world's largest earthquake drill."

ShakeOutBC earthquake drills help people at home, school and work practise how to be safe during an earthquake and provide an opportunity for everyone to improve their overall preparedness. By participating, you, your family, your co-workers and millions of others will be better prepared to survive and recover quickly following an earthquake. As of today, millions of people worldwide are registered to participate in the October 19 drill, including 500,000 British Columbians.

Founded in 2010, the BC Earthquake Alliance (BCEA) is a not-for-profit Society. Our mission is to build a culture of earthquake and tsunami preparedness, through efforts such as the Great British Columbia ShakeOut.

BCEA engages residents, businesses and all levels of government to work together to improve education, readiness and resiliency of British Columbians before, during and after an earthquake or tsunami event.

To learn more about the BC Earthquake Alliance, visit bcearthquakealliance.ca.

IBC is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada