Assistant fire chief Brad Perrie shows what to do during an earthquake.
Photograph by: Submitted , TIMES
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are encouraging their citizens to get ready for the big one – ShakeOutBC takes place on Oct. 18 and aims to get people prepared for a possible earthquake.
The earthquake awareness program takes place at 10:18 a.m. on Oct. 18.
“The exercise is pretty straightforward. The goal is to teach everyone to ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On’ during an earthquake,” said Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin. “We’re using this opportunity to share the latest information on the best techniques to protect your family, home and workplace. Simple things like looking around your bedroom, office and other places where you spend time to see if there may be potential hazards from falling items. As part of this year’s ShakeOut program in Maple Ridge, I’m enlisting the help of the local business community to help us all put together a 72-hour survival kit.”
“Mayor Daykin has asked four local hardware and home improvement stores in our community to help educate the public on how easy it is to assemble emergency supplies. Families need to be self sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours,’ said Barbara Morgan, emergency social services director for the District of Maple Ridge. She continued, “Beginning Oct. 9, staff and management of Haney Builders’ Supplies, Home Hardware, RONA Home Centre and Canadian Tire will each have a display of the elements for a home survival kit that you can purchase at their stores. The intent is to show everyone that everything that you need for your family’s survival kit is readily available locally.”
The City of Pitt Meadows is also encouraging its citizens to take part in the “drop, cover, and hold on” exercise at 10:18 a.m. on Oct. 18 wherever people are, for example, at home, work, or school.
“We are encouraging everyone in Pitt Meadows to participate in the drill and register on the ShakeOutBC website,” Pitt Meadows assistant fire chief Brad Perrie.
For more information, go to www.shakeoutbc.ca. The website is filled with information and links to help organize everyone’s participation at home and in the workplace.
