91原创 City mayor Val van den Broek was in the midst of a meeting in her office with Surrey-Fleetwood MLA Jagrup Brar when the clock struck 10:17 a.m.
On Oct. 17, that time meant it was time to partake in ShakeOutBC drill, a yearly event to get people ready for when an earthquake occurs.
鈥淲e have to get used to doing it 鈥� train your body to know what to do when an earthquake happens,鈥� mayor van den Broek said. 鈥淧ractise, practise, practise.鈥�
That practise meant that she, Brar, and millions of others worldwide stopped what they were doing to 鈥淒rop, Cover, and Hold On鈥� during international ShakeOut Earthquake Drills.
The goal is for people to find a safe space, typically a desk or table, to take cover before intense shaking knocks them down or drops something on top of them.
An announcement went over the intercom at Timms Community Centre, inviting people to participate in the drill if they wished.
ShakeOutBC drills, which last less than one minute, are completely voluntary, but employers are being encouraged to facilitate one at their place of work and people to participate if they鈥檙e at home.
鈥淢ake sure you have your kit ready,鈥� the mayor added, emphasizing preparedness doesn鈥檛 just end with knowing how to get under a desk or table.
鈥漎ou have to be prepared to be on your own for 72 hours now. Think about your pets and your medication. Have water for three days. If you have information, text, don鈥檛 call, because the help line will be tied up,鈥� she said.
Mayor van den Broek suggested people buy a kit or inquire about them at 91原创鈥檚 .
Read More: 鈥楬ow will we tell our kids we knew about the earthquake and did nothing?鈥�
Join us for at 10:17 am local time! Practice how to drop, cover and hold so you'll know what to do during an earthquake.
鈥� Canadian Red Cross (@redcrosscanada)
Find more information about earthquake preparedness at .
The British Columbia ShakeOut started in 2011 and is held on the third Thursday of October.
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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