Get set to 'Drop, Cover and Hold On'

If a large earthquake happens, would you know what to do to survive and recover?

British Columbians have been warned that, one day, the “big one” will happen and on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 10:16 a.m., they will be asked to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” for the 2014 Great British Columbia ShakeOut earthquake drill.

 “Earthquakes could strike anywhere, at anytime, which makes it important to hold these emergency drills,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

“It is crucial to practice so you are prepared to respond and react quickly to protect yourself.”

The City of Richmond, along with hundreds of thousands of participants in B.C., will be engaging in this exercise.

If inside a building when an earthquake occurs, remember to:

z Drop to the ground (before the earthquake drops you);

z Cover yourself by getting under a sturdy desk or table;
z Hold on to it until the shaking stops;
z If outdoors when the shaking starts, find a clear spot away from buildings, power lines, trees and streetlights, then “drop, cover and hold on.”

The Great BC ShakeOut drill is a good reminder to review your space to ensure surrounding objects are secure to prevent injuries or damage, and to also update emergency plans and supplies.

For more information and to register your participation in the earthquake drill, please visit www.ShakeOutBC.ca.

Workshops

To help Richmond residents get ready for an earthquake or other emergency, the City of Richmond is offering three free personal preparedness workshops. They will teach the risks, show how to make an emergency plan and kit and discuss what to do in an emergency or disaster.

The workshops will be held as follows:
* Thursday, Oct. 16, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Hamilton Community Centre, 5140 Smith Drive, course registration #658058;
* Tuesday, Oct. 21, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at West Richmond Community Centre, 9180 No. 1 Road, course registration #706008;
* Thursday, Oct. 23, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Thompson Community Centre, 5151 Granville Avenue, course registration #721208.

To register for the workshops:
* Go online at www.richmond.ca/register;
* or call the registration call centre from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 604-276-4300 (press “2” at the prompt).