Islanders will drop, cover, and hold on at 10:18 a.m. today for a province-wide earthquake drill.
Held every year on the third Thursday of October, the Great British Columbia Shakeout gives people a chance to try out their earthquake and tsunami plans, and to make sure their 72-hour emergency kits are ready.
Those who have signed up for ePACT, Haida Gwaii’s free emergency notification service, will get a test alert.
Local MLA Jennifer Rice, B.C.’s parliamentary secretary for emergency preparedness, said in a statement that it’s not enough to know what to do in an earthquake — you have to practice what you know so you’re ready to act when the real shaking starts.
Students at both Haida Gwaii high schools, Sk’aadgaa Naay and Tahayghen Elementary are registered to take part, as are members of the Old Massett Adult Day program, the village offices in Masset and Queen Charlotte, the DFO office in Queen Charlotte, the Skidegate volunteer fire department, the Ministry of Forests and Service B.C. offices in Queen Charlotte, the Haida Gwaii Hospital / Ngaaysdll Naay, and the Sandspit Emergency Preparedness Planners.
andrew.hudson@haidagwaiiobserver.com
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