Drop, cover and hold part of B.C.’s earthquake drill

VICTORIA – The loud rumblings of a mock earthquake screeched over the public address system at the British Columbia legislature today, signalling the start of a provincewide earthquake drill that included the potentially lifesaving drop, cover and hold manoeuvres.

Sirens followed and government workers joined hundreds of thousands of British Columbians, including school children who hid under their desks and then evacuated their buildings to safety.

B.C. Justice Minister Suzanne Anton estimates 690,000 British Columbians participated in the Great British Columbia ShakeOut, which saw many people crawl under their desks during the mock earthquake drill.

Anton says the drop, cover and hold moves are critical first steps in the event of a real earthquake, but so are practising home, school and business escape routes and preparing earthquake kits to keep survivors comfortable until help arrives.

Coastal British Columbia is located in an active earthquake zone where minor rumblings are regular occurrences, but major quakes are also a threat.

The B.C. government has been working to seismically upgrade more than 200 schools since 2001, while studies conclude the legislature building will topple in the event of an earthquake.