Bowen Island's Emergency Social Services Coordinator, Amanda Ockeloen, believes in having a plan and she encourages the community to take part in the 2012 Great British Columbia ShakeOut. On Thursday, October 18, thousands of B.C. residents will practice what to do in the case of an earthquake: drop, cover and hold on.
For last year's event, more than 12.5 million people were part of the drills worldwide and Ockeloen believes that this presents a chance to participate and learn about the issue of emergency preparedness. "It's good practice for sure," she said, adding that she has sent all the relevant information to Bowen schools and organizations who might benefit from taking part.
The ShakeOut BC website (www.shakeoutbc.ca) has specific suggestions on how to prepare for the 18th that include planning on how to prepare and learning how to protect yourself. Audio and video drill recordings are available to view and manuals are available to download. The ShakeOut BC drill is scheduled for 10:18 a.m. on 10/18 and participants are instructed to drop to the ground, take cover under a table or desk, hold on as if a major earthquake were happening and stay down for at least 60 seconds. The exercise is designed to get people thinking about scenarios of what to do before the actual earthquake happens to reduce losses and quickly recover.
