Surrey and White Rock are gearing up for the annual Great B.C. ShakeOut, a province-wide earthquake preparedness drill taking place on October 16 at 10:16 a.m.
Thousands of students, school staff, city employees, and residents will participate in the drill, joining nearly 500,000 British Columbians in practicing the lifesaving steps of “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!”
According to Surrey Schools, the event is a vital opportunity to reinforce safety habits that can protect lives in classrooms, workplaces, and homes. “While potential earthquake hazards depend on your location, all of British Columbia is considered at high risk compared to the rest of Canada,” notes the ShakeOut B.C. website.
The City of White Rock and White Rock Fire Rescue are also encouraging residents to participate. The province experiences over 3,000 earthquakes every year, making awareness and preparedness critical. During the drill, participants may receive a notification through the city’s Alertable app, reminding them to join in.
Fire Chief Brad Davie urged residents to take the exercise seriously: “The Great ShakeOut is an excellent opportunity for White Rock residents to practice seismic preparedness and safety. I encourage everyone to take part.”
Participants are also being encouraged to review emergency kits, update family plans, and secure heavy objects to prevent injuries in case of a real quake.
Last year, more than 805,000 people across B.C. and millions worldwide took part in the ShakeOut, underscoring growing awareness about seismic safety.
For more information and safety resources, visit shakeoutbc.ca.
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