Maple Ridge urges residents to drop, cover and hold during Thursday’s earthquake drill

The City of Maple Ridge is encouraging residents to take part in the 15th annual Great BC ShakeOut earthquake drill on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 10:15 a.m. The province-wide exercise gives people a chance to practise what to do during an earthquake at home, work, school or in the community. Participants are encouraged to review their emergency plans, supplies and what they would do after the shaking stops. This year’s theme is “Back to Fundamentals.”

During the drill, drop, cover and hold on. Drop to the ground; if you use a wheelchair or walker, lock the wheels. Cover your head and neck with your arms and, if possible, get under a sturdy desk or table. If no shelter is nearby, move to an inside corner and protect your head and neck. Hold on to your shelter and wait, or count to 60 seconds after the shaking stops. Do not run outside or into another room when shaking starts. After the drill, look for anything in your home, classroom or workplace that could fall, block an exit or create a hazard.

Naomi Yamamoto, president of the BC Earthquake Alliance Society, said earthquake preparedness is essential in B.C., where seismic activity is a real threat. She said a few proactive steps today can make a difference tomorrow. Securing a home, building an emergency kit and knowing the emergency plan can help people protect loved ones, she added. Earthquakes strike without warning, and being ready is the strongest defence people have.

Residents can register for the Great BC ShakeOut and find drill resources, including sound effects and preparedness information, at ShakeOutBC.ca (https://www.shakeoutbc.ca/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=IB---Drop%2C-Cover-and-Hold-On-During-the-Great-BC-ShakeOut-on&utm_source=Envoke-202583%7C202586%7C202589&utm_term=Drop%2C-Cover-and-Hold-On-During-the-Great-BC-ShakeOut-on-Octo). About 800,000 people across the province are expected to participate.

The city is also offering free Be Earthquake Ready workshops to help residents prepare before an emergency. Participants will learn about earthquake risks in British Columbia, household emergency plans, emergency kits and practical ways to make their homes and families safer. The next workshops are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Fraser Room at Maple Ridge Public Library, 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd. Registration is required at MapleRidge.ca/EmergencyReadiness (https://www.mapleridge.ca/community-safety/emergency-readiness-response?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=IB---Drop%2C-Cover-and-Hold-On-During-the-Great-BC-ShakeOut-on&utm_source=Envoke-202583%7C202586%7C202589&utm_term=Drop%2C-Cover-and-Hold-On-During-the-Great-BC-ShakeOut-on-Octo).

Residents can take several practical steps before an earthquake: make or update a household emergency plan, including arrangements for pets and livestock; build and maintain emergency supplies for at least 72 hours to one week; look for hazards at home or work and secure items that could fall, such as bookcases, TVs, mirrors and heavy pictures; learn how to safely turn off water, gas and electricity if needed; and sign up for Alert Maple Ridge at MapleRidge.ca/Alert to receive City-issued emergency alerts and instructions through the Alertable app.

For more information about emergency readiness, contact EmergencyProgram@MapleRidge.ca.