Drop, cover and hold on - these three actions will help protect you against an earthquake in B.C.
To promote awareness and emergency preparedness, the City of Richmond encourages all residents to participate in the ShakeOut BC earthquake drill on Oct. 20 at 10: 20 a.m.
During the drill, hundreds of thousands of participants will simultaneously practice the recommended protocol for up to two minutes: drop to the ground (before the earthquake drops you), take cover under a sturdy desk or table and hold on to it until the shaking stops.
"The ShakeOut BC drill is an important exercise to educate yourself and your family on how to prepare for a major earthquake," said Mayor Malcolm Brodie.
"Now is the time to get an emergency kit together and practice so your reaction is instinctive if an earthquake ever happened."
The city is participating in this exercise as part of its ongoing emergency preparedness programs.
This is the second drill in 2011. After the first in January, organizers consulted with various stakeholders and decided to align ShakeOut BC with other ShakeOut drills occurring in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, the Central US, New Zealand and Guam.
For more information, visit www.ShakeOutBC.ca.
